Tim Keller: The Gospel and the Poor: A Case for Compassion from Here's Life Inner City on Vimeo.
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Reply by Keith Eckert
This is truly awesome. I have been trying to formulate my thoughts and view on this for some time now, and TIm has done an excellent job at addressing the need, focus, nuances, and Biblical motivation for this. Looking over his outline, I did run across one line on page 6, the last line of point 2 that I am expecting is a typo.
As written. "The problem is simply an unjust distribution of opportunity and resources." Shouldn't this read "A large part of the problem..." or similar? In the seminar, Tim outlined very profoundly that both typical political views regarding meeting basic human needs was much less black and white as this paragraph reads. Thoughts?
Reply by Julie Bauer
I appreciated his presentation of the scriptural basis meeting the needs of the poor.
Reply by Chris Bauer I clearly understand how I can respond either in relief or development.
Reply by Brian Barnett What do you think?? Do you think Campus Crusade for Christ, as a whole, does a good job of caring for the compassionate or does just HLI do it? As far as the seminar, I really enjoyed Tim's honest answer about giving to those on the street and/or giving to organizations that care for the poor. (A: Don't usually give to those begging on the street because studies have shown that it doesn't help; give instead to established helping organizations).
Reply by Amy Brandt
I'm so grateful that the broader ministry of CCC is giving so much attention to this topic.
Reply by Andrew Brandt I really enjoyed the seminar and the discussion that followed with friends about how to implement this on campus.
Reply by Nicole St. Jean
Sometimes I keep Mcdonald's gift certificates in my glove box. That way you can still drive AND give to the homeless without enabling.
Reply by Becky Ellis I think it's great that as an organization, we are committed to increase our involvement in the communities in which we live. I don't remember exactly how he put it, but I fully agree that in order to be a good messenger of the Gospel, we need to be good neighbors and only when we are good neighbors can we be great messengers.
Reply by Here's Life Inner City Great responses! Keep them coming! Have you all seen the interview Here's Life did with Tim Keller? The first half is posted on the main page of the iHope Community! Check it out!
Reply by Andy Rhodenbaugh
In light of the call of Scripture, what might I say to a wealthy Christian friend who may have a hint of "prosperity theology" in their worldview, who doesn't feel an obligation to the poor but thinks their problems are their fault and its up to them to get themselves out with more faith and harder work?
Reply by Carol Sands
Unfortunately, many people with this viewpoint are not very open to looking at this issue honestly. Wealthy people can have a hard time opening their eyes to the truth of helping the poor, especially if their wealth came through hard work. I don’t think there’s anything you can say to this person in one conversation that will change his/her mind. Would it be possible for you to play the audio of Tim Keller’s talk to this person? It’s pretty strong, so that might not be a good option at this point.
Maybe what you can do is start an education process with this person. The book “A Framework for Understanding Poverty” by Ruby Payne is an excellent source to start learning about the culture of poverty. In addition, Here’s Life Inner City has developed a Bible study on DVD called “Compassion by Command” that explores God’s heart for the poor through a movie that depicts a single mom’s spiral into homelessness, through no fault of her own. It’s very representative of what can and does happen. You can go to http://www.compassionbycommand.com/ to check it out, and order it if you wish.
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