Central Abbotsford

Where is God in the midst of great tragedy, world upheaval, and the seeming triumph of evil over good? This week, I’d like to share with you a resource that has been helpful in teaching me how the Scriptures answer these questions.

As you are undoubtedly aware, this weekend marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks in the eastern United States that, for an abundance of reasons, have significantly shaped North American life and thought for the first quarter of the 21st century.

One of my distant mentors in theology and ministry is the late American pastor-theologian Tim Keller. In 2001, Keller had been leading Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York for a little over a decade. Though Redeemer had been in the midst of a sermon series on Jonah, Keller preached on the story of the raising of Lazarus on the first Sunday after 9/11.

One of the most remarkable features of this sermon was Keller’s recognition that the Biblical pattern of resurrection always results in something greater being raised from death and loss, even tragic death and loss. And, as we await Christ’s return in this world that still suffers the effects of loss and sin, he encourages the church to truly be the church in the world:

The city is going to need neighbors and friends and people who are willing to live here and be part of a great city. It may be more difficult and expensive just to be Redeemer for the next few months and years; I don’t know. But if that is the case, the best thing we can do for the city is to stay here and be ourselves, even though it may cost more money or take more time. Maybe we are going to have to be a little less concerned about our own careers and more concerned about the community. So let’s enter in. Let’s not just “fix it.” Let’s weep with those who weep. This is the first lesson about suffering, learned from the tears of Jesus.

You can hear the call jumping off the page. When the world is wracked with the shock and effect of grief, loss, death, and destruction, neither the individual nor the church should view their goal as getting things “back to normal”. Rather, it is “how can we join in God’s work of resurrection?” 

As we (or at least those of us old enough to do so) reflect on the last quarter-century, Keller’s words remain both a comfort and a challenge to us as a church, as we consider what it means to be agents of reconciliation and resurrection workers in the place and time that He has placed us.

You can read a transcript of his sermon here or listen to a recording of it at this link. 

See you Saturday,

Eric