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The other day I met up with Tim to discuss an article written by Tim Keller. I think this article (which forms one chapter of a book by various authors) is a very significant one for us as a church so here is an idea of what it is about.

Keller's starting point is that the church in Europe (and parts of the US) is facing a new situation. In the past we spoke to a culture that had been deeply influenced by Christianity. Now, however, we are in a society where the old Christianity has been comprehensively rejected and replaced. Keller argues that this acts like a flu jab and innoculates people against the gospel. Interestingly, Keller cites a Martyn Lloyd-Jones sermon from 1959 in support of his case.

Keller's big point is that this new situation makes the task of the church much harder. In the past people were spiritually sleepy and needed awakening; or they were disaffected and need re-engaging; or they were excluded and needed welcoming; or, maybe, they were unaware and just needed informing. But now we are up against this spiritual vaccine. Our society is full of spiritual antibodies and many people are therefore particularly resistant to the claims of Christ. There are, of course, still plenty of people out there who are uninformed, or sleepy, or disengaged, or excluded. But now there are many more who have had this spiritual flu jab.

It is the practical outworking of this that interests me. If that is the case then the old ways of doing evangelism, while relevant in their time, are simply not up to the task in this new situation. Our whole approach needs to be deeper - more thoughtful, more penetrating, more costly, and more patient. That was Lloyd- Jones' point in 1959. It is Keller's point in 2008. I think they are right and that this insight needs to shape our approach.

The book is called 'The Supremacy of Christ in a Post-modern World' and it is published by Crossway. Next time we meet Tim and I are going to discuss the chapter in the same book by David Wells. Drop Tim a line if you want to join us. You will also find it as a free mp3/mp4 download at www.desiringGod.com.