Book Review: Generous Justice

Today I'm reviewing another book from one of my favourite authors and pastors, Tim Keller. I previously reviewed his marital book, "The Meaning of Marriage", and his excellent book on two key themes in the life of Jesus, "Kings Cross". This book continues in his tradition of excellence, this time looking at the issue of 'justice' in the world, from an explicitly Christian perspective. I would also recommend Keller's other books, particularly "The Reason for God (review forthcoming), and "The Prodigal God" (possible review forthcoming). Keller is an excellent author, and this book on Justice is no exception to that idea. Justice is a big issue in Christianity, as I explored in a recent post , and so this is a crucial book.

Keller's bold starting point, linked to his subtitle, "How God's Grace Makes us Just", is a real challenge to the church. The notion that "a real encounter with grace will make us just", is a challenge to the Gospel-focused Christian, and also a direct challenge to those who think the Gospel consists solely of doing justice. There has often been an unfortunate disconnect in the church, and in evangelicalism, between Gospel proclamation and social Justice. There are notable exceptions (for example Trent Vineyard in the UK has oen of the largest compassion ministries in the world, and runs HUGE Alpha launches as well), but by and large the two do not go easily hand in hand. Keller writes into this situation as a pastor of many years, with a desire to bring the power of God's Grace to bear on justice, and that in that we would as a church get an idea of God's heart for the poor; in this life and the next.

Early on, Keller notes that "in the mind of many orthodox Christians... "doing justice" is inextricably linked with the loss of sound doctrine and spiritual dynamism", which is an important starting point. Keller helpfully then uses the example of the wonderful American theologian Jonathan Edwards, who had a heart for the poor. With these key ideas in place - an awareness of the environment Keller is writing in and what is at stake, we launch into the book. The chapters that comprise this superb book are, in my mind, divided into two rough sections, though no division is made in the book. The first four chapters ask the questions "What is Doing Justice?". "Justice and the Old Testament", "What Did Jesus Say About Justice?", and "Justice and Your Neighbour". The second chunk is the meaty and practical application of the first half of the book; "Why Should we Do Justice?", "How Should We Do Justice?", "Doing Justice in the Public Square" and "Peace, Beauty, and Justice". This review will seek to give a rough sketch and evaluation of Keller's idea of Justice (The first half) and his suggested application of Justice (the second half).

Firstly, then, a look at what Keller has to say about Justice. Keller is very good at using and integrating his own story into his books, and this is no exception. We read a challenging story where an African American student told Tim "You're a racist, you know". This is real stuff, real stories, because real justice relates to real people. Keller's excellent chapter on Justice and the Old Testament is superbly summed up by his note on Amos 1:3-2:3, that "It is clearly God's will that all societies reflect his concern for justice for the weak and vulnerable", followed immediately by a superb exposition of Deuteronomy 15, which Keller titles "A Community of Justice". Throughout this ideological end of the book Keller is very quick, and very firm, to make it clear that the Bible (and thus Jesus) can not be forced into a 'liberal' or 'conservative' worldview. Whilst Keller is writing for - and challenging - the American Culture, this is useful challenge to those of us in the UK. For example, regarding the causes of poverty, Keller states that "the bible gives us a matrix of causes". There is no easy, label-confirming answer here. Keller is very clear on the need for the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus, as the means of grace and the message of Grace. But, in his chapter on what Jesus says, we see Keller state emphatically that "anyone who has truly been touched by the grace of God will be vigorous in helping the poor". This bold challenge sets the tone for the more practical part of the book.

Secondly, we can turn to what Keller thinks we should do regarding justice. Having looked at the Old Testament, and Jesus, and what Justice is, we turn to an application which is a framework for responding to Keller's bold challenge. Interestingly  Keller opens with the challenge to have "a higher view of the Law". This is because, as Tim puts it, "The law of God demands equity and justice, and loves of one's neighbour. People who believe strongly in the doctrine of justification by faith alone will have this high regard for God's law and justice. They will be passionate about seeing God's justice honoured in the world". Keller's emphasis here, on the justice of God, is grounded in a serious sense of the gravity and necessity of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross. The rest of this practical section is a superb articulation and application of this initial point; including the bold challenge (Based on the story of a conversation between theologian Miroslav Volf and pastor Mark Gornik) that "the doctrine of Justification by grace contains untapped resources for healing". This is a bold statement. And it sits amidst half a book that is superb at enabling readers to actualise the thoughts and theology here.

In conclusion, Tim Keller has given us another superb book. He has challenged us to care for the poor - yet reminding us of the essential truth that "the most loving thing anyone can do for one's neighbour is help him or her to a saving faith in God" - in a way that is calm, intelligent, pastoral and reasonable. Keller's passion for God's kingdom comes out, as well as his cohesive command of the full counsel of God's Word, the Bible. Above all, I believe Keller catches God's heart for the poor, and God's heart for Justice, not least in his obvious love of Jesus. I'd highly recommend this book to everyone - both as a theology for Justice and as a picture of what a realised, vibrant, engaged and caring Christianity can be. This is one of the best books I've read this year.


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If you've enjoyed this review, then check out my page of book reviews above. In particular, you might enjoy my reviews of a couple of Tim Keller's other books, "The Meaning Of Marriage" and "King's Cross". The recent post I alluded to above was a popular one called "Lifetime Justice", where I looked at the role and place of the word 'justice' in the life of a Christian.

As ever, thanks for reading, and if you haven't already, please do go and like my facebook page, and engage socially if you'd like!