Book Review
“Of making many books there is no end. . . “ Ecclesiastes 12:12 NRSV
Generous Justice
by Timothy Keller
(New York: Riverhead Books, 2010, $15pb)
Reviewed by Darold Morgan
Any book that can wisely and effectively call Christians to a Biblical basis for justice and mercy is a welcome addition for concerned Christians in this roiling world. Generous Justice in our age is an imperative of unchallenged proportions. Sadly, many secularists in current society (and their number is legion) equate the Bible as the source of multiple prejudices and regressions rather than the ultimate source of generous justice.
Timothy Keller has wisely chosen this title for his brief book which is a superb study of the Biblical basis, promoting a life of justice, mercy, and compassion in a secular age. Those qualities emanate from a genuine experience with the grace of God in Jesus Christ, according to Keller. With the author’s recognized and competent abilities in Biblical foundations, coupled with contemporary applications and quotations, this prolific writer and preacher has produced another volume of value and usefulness.
The “Notes” section is one of the exceptional contributions to Christian Ethics which is so needed in the local church.
Keller defines justice by quot
ing Micah 6:8, “And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Then comes the major applications of this ideal in a world of racism, prejudice, poverty, politics, cultural and religious clashes. He expands these principles grounded in the Old Testament and in the words of Jesus with vigorous interpretations of familiar Biblical material which yield in turn insights which are brimming with current considerations. Keller has genuine skills for the way he uses quotations from the unusual and interesting sources such as Jonathan Edwards, Walter Rauchenbush, Christopher Hitchens, Gustavo Gutierrez, Anders Nygren, John Newton, C.S. Lewis, and many more.
The issues of Justice have long been ignored or minimized in local churches for a variety of reasons. Keller’s book wisely and Biblically calls the church back to a major theme, repeated often in both Testaments. Today it would include concern for the poor, balanced approaches to discrimination and conflicts against women, wages, extreme politics, confusion about immigration policies, diversity in marriage values…the list is long and complex.
But the call to Generous Justice grounded in personal experience with the Grace of God, grounded in the Bible, is an ideal found in this good volume.
