Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
7th out of 7 books
—
4 voters
Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road
This book builds a biblical foundation for works of service to the church and to the world at large.
Paperback, 236 pages
Published
July 1st 1997
by P & R Publishing
(first published 1989)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
887)
A very terrible and hard book for me to swallow and stomach which mainly focusses on the parable of the Good Samaritan. When I was reading Generous Justice few months back (and was financially stable), the concept of giving to the needy is still within 'acceptable and comfortable' range. But now that I am tighter in budget and being presented a book that shares the same theme as Generous Justice, it actually starts to become increasingly difficult to stomach some of the teachings in the book tha...more
Keller begins his work with a brief exposition of Luke 10:25-37, Christ's giving of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. He uses this as a launching pad for the primary thrust of his book: the Church must take seriously it's mission to minister mercy (i.e. financial aid, counseling, education, job counseling, etc.) to those inside and outside the Church. Though I in principle agree with Keller's thesis, I was bothered by his strained exegesis of Luke 10 and the applications he drew from it. He cam...more
Originally posted at Honey and Locusts.
I read this book and Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just back-to-back, even though they were written 14 years apart. Keller has been remarkably consistent over the course of his ministry; his concern for addressing social justice issues from a conservative, evangelical view (particularly in urban settings) has been one of the central themes of his teaching for decades. Though his more recent books have garnered much more attention, this -- his f...more
I read this book and Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just back-to-back, even though they were written 14 years apart. Keller has been remarkably consistent over the course of his ministry; his concern for addressing social justice issues from a conservative, evangelical view (particularly in urban settings) has been one of the central themes of his teaching for decades. Though his more recent books have garnered much more attention, this -- his f...more
If all White suburban evangelical Christians, and their churches, proceeded along the lines Keller lays out here, we'd all live in a much better world. His call to life-changing action is Biblical and practical. Its careful tuning to conservative sensibilities may help it get through where the work of Ron Sider or John M. Perkins, in previous generations, or say Shane Claiborne today, have not.
That said, those conservative sensibilities sink the book and its message for me. Actually, it's not ev...more
That said, those conservative sensibilities sink the book and its message for me. Actually, it's not ev...more
Timothy Keller's Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Roadis a valuable expansion on both the why's and how's of loving our neighbors, particularly doing so through mercy ministries. After taking a closer look at both Jesus' command to love our neighbors and the Parable of the Good Samaritan (in the Prologue and Introduction, respectively), Keller divides his book into two parts, each with seven chapters: Principles and Practice. The first portion, Principles, is an in-depth study of th...more
This is a biblical and practical book for Christians about why we should be involved in meeting the felt needs of the poor and oppressed -- and how to do it.
The book is divided into two parts, with seven chapters in each. Part 1 lays down the principles for mercy ministries. Keller builds a theology of mercy by expounding the parable of the Good Samaritan, discussing the call, character, and motivation of ministry. He addresses issues such as the lifestyle of believers, how to discern where to f...more
The book is divided into two parts, with seven chapters in each. Part 1 lays down the principles for mercy ministries. Keller builds a theology of mercy by expounding the parable of the Good Samaritan, discussing the call, character, and motivation of ministry. He addresses issues such as the lifestyle of believers, how to discern where to f...more
The first half of this is more "interesting" with the whys and theologies of Mercy Ministry. The clarity of the case (if you need logic to prove this to you) is made with strength and cogency. The Spirit should move you to do these sorts of things, and there's very little reason for you do any of this if guilt in the only motivation you have. We are all the priests of Christ and His hands and feet in this world. Chapter 13 is also really good on this topic.
The second half is also interesting (bu...more
The second half is also interesting (bu...more
Just can't seem to get this book out of my head. It was an easy read and wasn't filled with unnecessary or needless words. Here's what stuck to me: The rich young man (Mt. 19:16) and the law expert (Lk. 10:25) ask Jesus, "What must I do to get eternal life?" In both instances, Jesus refers to the poor, our neighbors. Keller's explanation of the Parable of the Good Samaritan was eye-opening. Keller, pg. 65: "Of course, many true Christians do not evidence the social concern the Bible says is a ma...more
I read this as part of an assignment to become a deacon at my church. More about the whys and hows of doing mercy ministry than what a deacon is, this book would likely be a challenge for someone who doesn't have a "king" tendency. On the plus side, it does prevent people from self-eliminating based on the biblical qualifications of deacon. But, it does overwhelm someone who is considering starting a mercy ministry of their own or through their church. A newer edition to update statistics and so...more
Apr 01, 2013
Mike E.
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
justice-issues-poverty
Many American churches are trapped in a "middle class captivity" according to this book by Keller (published in 1989). It is somewhat dated but very helpful. The book, at times, reads like a manual or strategy document for individuals, churches, & families. Each chapter concludes with discussion questions which are ideally suited for a deacon board or group study. It is a book for deacons, church leaders, and anyone interested in learning about how the Bible calls every believer to intention...more
A very complete view of mercy ministries. Keller's view of the importance of mercy ministry in the life of the church is a little bit overstated. But his overall approach will be very helpful for churches that has not thought much about ministering to those less fortunate. God's view of how we treat others is very important to him and should be a lot more important to most of us. Eph. 5:1.
This was very helpful and good book. In my opinion this is a settling book on subjects that are very muddy. For years the church has wondered in the wilderness of confusion regarding mercy ministry. People have turned to extremes of Gnostic belief in the soul and liberal expressions of humanity. Neither are biblical versions of humanity. Hardly any have found out how to live the gospel in the context of great need. Dr. Keller puts forward a consistent solution to the problem of need in the view...more
First half - really good, answers a lot of common questions with balanced theology. One major hole - maybe answered by new book, "Generous Justice"?
Second half - extremely practical and aimed for a Western, developed country. Not sure how useful it would be in another context.
Second half - extremely practical and aimed for a Western, developed country. Not sure how useful it would be in another context.
Strikes a great balance between outlining the causes of poverty and hurt (both physical and spiritual) and how to minister to those in need of mercy. It also provides information relevant to the individual as well as the larger group/church, making it very useful.
Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road is the work of the Presbyterian pastor and church planter, Timothy Keller. The opening chapters of this book are a vivid reminder to those of us living behind our white picket fences and enjoying the middle class life that while times are tough these days, there are plenty of folks far worse off. After planting the seed of the burden in the readers heart, Keller goes on to lay out an intensely practical and biblical approach for dealing with the...more
Really enjoyed this one from Keller. Goes through the story of the Good Samaritan and pulls out a lot of practical teaching. Especially enjoyed his charge to "give promiscuously" and show mercy to all - because all believers have been shown mercy (without having to earn it.) He also gives practical instruction on how to give and when to "let mercy limit mercy" - i.e. when to stop giving if it is being taken with no effort made to change lifestyles or take responsibility. I also liked what Tim sa...more
Keller makes the Gospel the heart of mercy ministry- where it should be. The Gospel is the motivation by which we do mercy. If we are not motivated by the Gospel in our mercy, our mercy is not mercy but self interest. This book is excellent!
I really love this book and keep it nearby - the only reason I gave it 4 stars for me is that there is quite a bit that relates to churches - but it is a scriptural call to recognizing what my "Jericho road" is
This book just about drove me to despair that Keller had gone liberal, until about page 100. Than I started seeing that I was a conservative, in the worse sense of the word. You know, as in "someone with two good feet who refuses to walk." This book is a game changer and I will need to re-read it someday soon. Very good stuff.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
An excellent intro to the Christian calling to do works of mercy. A little dated, but the biblical principles are clear, and most of the examples are still immediately applicable today.
I can't speak highly enough about this book! Keller combines deep theological insight with lots of practical tips. Read it, read it, read it! More importantly, APPLY IT!
This book is very profound and challenging in a very Tim Keller way, but it's also very practical, giving you the steps to take in creating this type of ministry. Plenty of books are challenging ideologically, but without clear vision it's difficult to know how to start applying it.
All in all, great book. I would recommend it to any follower of Jesus.
All in all, great book. I would recommend it to any follower of Jesus.
The theoretical parts were especially helpful; the practical parts were very different from my context, so hard to figure out quite how to apply.
Amazing depth of insight and thoroughness in how to approach and implement ministries of benevolence.
Lots of excellent content, but I found it hard-going and a bit dry. Much preferred Generous Justice.
Lot's of good stuff in this book, just a bit dry reading. Recommended.
Wonderful book about the depth of mercy exercised by the Good Samaritan!!!
view 1 comment
This book did a great job at showing that the Bible teaches that all Christians are called to be involved in mercy ministry.
Great, practical book on benevolence ministry.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Dr. Timothy Keller is founder and pastor of New York’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Over the past 20 years, the church has grown to five services at three sites, with a weekly attendance of over 5,000. Named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Churches in America, Keller’s ministry is notable not only for winning over New Yorkers who are skeptical to faith, but also for its missional...more
More about Timothy Keller...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
