Reverend Timothy Keller landed into controversy when Princeton Theological Seminary announced that they were awarding the Kuyper Prize to the New York City pastor for his outstanding contributions as “an innovative theologian and church leader, well-published author, and catalyst for urban mission in major cities around the world.” Protesters criticized Keller’s theological ideas as “toxic” and a cause of nauseous feelings among female and LGBTQ pastors-in-training and among alumni. Wealthy liberals chimed negative notes to the seminary, which is financially ailing.
The seminary then announced that they were canceling the prize for this year. However, Keller agreed to speak at the seminary next week on April 6th. Otherwise, the pastor has declined to comment on the controversy.
When the pastor held a dialogue with Mr. Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times and Mr. John Inazu, author of Confident Pluralism, on how to act in uncivil times, he probably didn’t anticipate that his lessons would have to be practiced in a visit to a Presbyterian seminary. Here are short excerpts that A Journey through NYC religions filmed during the conversation that was held at Redeemer Presbyterian Church last Fall just before the presidential election day. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Stephanie Summers of the Center for Public Justice.
Why is civility disappearing?
Religious establishments contributed to incivility in the past.
We need each other.
Humility and the cross-pressured citizen
For other articles on the controversy:
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