Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter by Rev. Dr. Timothy Keller (New York: Viking, 2021).
Does a study in the resurrection ever need an introduction? Not really, because the resurrection is meant to be so central to the Christian faith that it’s always worth exploring. Therefore, I want to encourage you to check out the new book Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter written by Tim Keller. You might think, “what else new can be written about the resurrection?” Granted, this is not an academic work. And admittedly, a lot of the book probably falls into resurrection material already covered in other works. However, Keller’s book is still worth the read because he approaches the resurrection as more than ancient history or future eschatology. Instead, it’s a reminder how the resurrection is meant to impact us while still living our current lives in the here and now. As Keller notes, “the resurrection means that the liberating, repairing power of God is here now, through the risen Christ and his presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. We have not been saved just to be safe, but saved in order to serve” (p. 156).
Keller starts out by covering the familiar ground of the reasonableness for faith in the resurrection in history and science. To do this, Keller relies quite heavily on N.T. Wright’s massive work on the resurrection in terms of Jesus’ empty tomb, the witnesses, and the point that Jesus was raised from the dead as an unexpected departure from all previous resurrection thought. From there, Keller shifts the direction of the book by promoting the resurrection as a means of holding on to the ultimate source of hope: new life in Jesus. In consideration of the world’s anxieties of the last year or so, his message could not be timelier.
But what makes this book unique is Keller’s insight to apply resurrection thinking to two of today’s most pressing issues: race relations (ch. 9) and justice (ch. 10). Keller acknowledges just how vital these topics are in today’s world and boldly states that it’s only in Jesus will anyone find the resources for the authentic transformation for all relationships. Similarly, Keller relates how if the Church ever learns to deal with these issues honestly (as enabled by the resurrected Jesus) will this be a powerful sign to a watching world.Keller grabbed my attention in these chapters by moving beyond the typical arguments from scripture. Instead, Keller goes right for our jugular. Keller exhorts us that because we already share in the resurrection in this life, we are meant to be dealing with race and justice by thinking as participants in the new creation (rather than our old selves). The key is Gal. 6:15, “For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation” (ESV). What Keller means is that these issues can’t be tackled by our relying on our previous racial or economic thinking. Working together to solve these issues only begins in our identifying with Jesus’ resurrection in us, that we are now new creations in Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17) and that we treat others according to that new creation. After all, while we continue to recognize the reality of our current identities (Jew or Gentile, rich or poor), what really matters is being a new creation in the resurrected Jesus (Gal. 3:26-28). Only then can we truly listen to or see one another as God means for us to relate to others. Keller highlights this new reality in his position that belief in the resurrection should be the end of calculations of self-benefit in any of our relationships. It should be the end of the constant, semiconscious inner monologues of questioning the worth of everyone around us. Classic Keller: “In Galatians Paul urges Christians to live in light of the resurrection – not to mention the doctrine of justification – in such a way that the world’s high barriers and prejudices between races and peoples are removed…Modern-day Christians must admit that these extraordinary resources for racial understanding, healing, and unity are largely going untapped. The new self (Eph. 4:22-23) that is rooted in Christ’s love and work rather than in our race, culture, and achievements is something that must be put on.” (pp. 138-139). It’s a great reminder for us that the resurrection demonstrates even now that God has not given up on this world. Therefore, the resurrection is a call for believers to work against what is wrong and unjust. Why? Because Easter and the resurrection of Jesus happened.
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