just read: Generous Justice

Proverbs 14:31 - He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker.



This is a book I will read again and again. I picked it up while browsing through a book store on a leisurely evening in the fall. It took me that long to get through it, because the content is so dense and thought provoking. I couldn't read even a chapter at a time. I had to put it down section by section and ponder the arguments proposed by the author. 

The topic of grace is what caught my attention - more than justice. It was a book that made me think long and hard about what is real, what is generous and what is just.

In this book Keller advocates for a life lived for others, with effort spent toward unselfish pursuits. That is not a new topic for this blog.

He advocates sacrifical giving. Generosity. Another common theme on this blog.

Keller approaches this from an intellectual mindset, but with an obviously compassionate heart. He is best known for his apologetics books like The Reason for God  and The Prodigal God. Many times he challenged my ideas while simultaneously encouraging my heart. This book inspired my talk for the MLK event.

I like Keller's writing. I like his approach. One does not have to deny intellect to embrace faith, rather the two are allies. He comes from a Biblical perspective, thus there are things that would surprise (or offend) individuals on both sides of the political aisle.

Since Keller is writing from a Christian perspective, he argues that if we have truly encountered God's grace it will compell us to make the world better. It will draw us to the poor, not to give handouts, but to become deeply involved in their lives. In his words, "If you look down at the poor and stay aloof from their suffering, you have not really understood or experienced God's grace." Challenging words.
 
just Sheri, changed by grace