Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road

Tim Keller does a great job laying out the biblical basis and practical insights for mercy ministries that's misunderstood and neglected in many evangelical churches.

i recommend this book to every christian and also to those who are distressed about the poverty and human plight, injustice and oppression.

Keller's book is an in-your-face account of what real Christianity is. For instance, "Christians must give sacrificially, until they lifestyle is lowered." is the first line of the overview of Chapter Four, which talks about "a balanced lifestyle." Every professing Christian should read and heed what Keller says in this book. It will confirm what they are professing is real of fake.

There's a lot of books out there on being missional. Most of them laud the theory of being missional. This one provides a good example (on a local and urban scale) of how to move toward being missional. Keller provides a strong theological case and some practical examples of how to live out ones faith.

Real religion is more than doctrinal orthodoxy; it has to do with how we show mercy in the same way that we have been shown mercy. The Parable of the Good Samaritan serves as our springboard into this study of the doctrine and practice of ministries of mercy. These two elements of doctrine and practice form the two pillars that serve as the outline of the book. Following a typical Pauline approach, the first half of the book sets forth the basic doctrinal foundation of Mercy Ministries. The latter half of the book then put doctrine to practice in a series of hands-on strategies and tactics that can be utilized to mobilize a Mercy Ministry within a church.

Criticizing this book would be a bit like attacking motherhood and apple pie. Keller gives an excellent balance as he shows that Mercy Ministries are not meant to replace the preaching of the Gospel, but that the message of the Gospel without the accompanying ministry of mercy is an incomplete message. Word and deed, mercy and evangelism are inseparable, existing in a symbiotic, interdependent relationship (Page 111). At the same time, he is careful not to confuse word and deed as has been done by some modern ecumenicals.

In the practical section of the book, he gives tactics that would be useful both to the layman as well as to the pastor and church officer. These include actual strategies for priming, preparing and cultivating a church to enter into the work of Mercy Ministries.

"God requires a love that cannot be required. Mercy is commanded, but it must not be in response to the command. Rather it is a response to the mercy of God that we have received. We are merciful because we have been shown mercy" (Page 62). "Orthodoxy without social concern is not orthodoxy" (Page 114).

I use this book to lead a small group at my church. Keller does an excellent job breaking down the principles and then explaining how to apply the principles both individually and corporately. The teachings are very solid and trustworthy and Keller's focus on the need for balance (of word & deed, lifestyle choices, etc) is stressed throughout the book.