I take it that you believe Keller is trying to argue from scripture without offering any (i.e., that he is saying it is wrong for young pastors to write books). Reading the interview, I get the impression that he is giving an opinion and expressing advice based perhaps on his own experience as a pastor and author. If this is the case, then it explains why there is no scripture offered and it is not out of the ordinary or unusual. This was an interview, not a sermon or debate.
I believe in the doctrine of sufficiency. Scripture is sufficient for instructing a pastor on what he should and should not be doing. And a lot of brilliant authors, with something important to say, may now be going, "You know what, my hero Tim Keller said I should wait."
Then they get hit by a bus at 45. If the church had followed Keller's advice throughout history, most of the great works that we have today, would NEVER have been produced. Calvin's Institutes, or heck, the Book of James!
Keller has a responsibility as a pastor to guard his tongue. His statements were humanistic, unbiblical, and silly.
I actually agree with his suggestions to young pastors: “write essays and chapters, not books yet. Hone your craft through short pieces of occasional writing…Writing a whole book takes an enormous amount of energy ant time, especially the first one(s). But as a younger man you aren’t being fair to your family or your church if you are giving the book the time it warrants. And you aren’t being fair to the reading public if you don’t. This way you can prepare for writing your first book later.”
I disagree with the humanistic way that this is being reasoned. Worldly wisdom is useless in determining what a pastor should, or should not be doing.
But even if we were going to make such silly, blanket assertions, you could just as easily say it the other way. "Old men should not write books. Write books when you are young and have energy. Write books when you are still burning with passion about new ideas." Even, "Your not being fair to your family and church to write books as an older man. A younger man has the energy to be spread out in many different activities. But as an older man, you need to guard your time, for the sake of your family and ministry."
It is humanistic reasoning, that makes teaching in a book, different from teaching face to face. Writing IS ministry.
I am not an author - but as an avid reader, I think this very good advice. Too often I have stumbled upon, and purchased, books by authors who have not "honed their craft." I think it is also good advice as young pastors probably need to focus solely on their ministries in the early stages. They have to balance ministry and family - I think that it is probably a sign of something being neglected if they have the time, but not the experience, to write a book. But, like Keller, this is only an opinion.
Keller's "advice" is humanistic. It is also irresponsible. He makes some fairly dogmatic assertions in that article.
Again, anyone can come up with humanistic reasons to do, or not do anything. Our authority should be scripture, and when it comes to ministry, a public figure like Keller has the responsibility not to influence younger pastors away from ministries they have been called to. Again, teaching through writing IS ministry. The Bible makes no distinction. Paul's most important teachings were writings.
And a book takes exactly as much time as you want it to...it doesn't take anymore time than posting on forums, like this. Now, if you want to finish it in a week, I guess it would take a lot of your time.
Again, the point of my article is the humanistic way he answered the question. Scripture is the guide for various ministry work, not some guru's worldly wisdom. He could have given all kinds of scripture. He didn't, because it did not say what he wanted to say.
