Exemplars and signposts

Tim Keller outlines two approaches to preaching about biblical characters as he preaches on Esther:

An example - even a great example - can only crush you. It's crushing because it's an inaccessible standard...But there's another way. Let me tell you how you can change. What if you didn't just see Esther as an example, but as a signpost, as a pointer?

...If you see Esther as an example and say, "Be like Esther!" it will crush you. You will never live up to it. But if you see Jesus as your Savior - not as an example of doing something for others but as a Savior doing it for you, and you know that you're that valuable to him and you know that your future is secure - that changes your identity.

Comments

[James Grant]

I am curious where you came across the Keller quotes. This is similar to the debate in Dutch churches concerning the use of examples in preaching. Sidney Greidanus' work "Sola Scriptura" documents this controversy. I have been working on the issue of redmeptive-historical preaching for several years now, having learned it primarily through the WTS PA influence of Charles Dennison and his brothers Bill Dennison and Jim Dennison. I caught the previous blog about your interest in it. I am going to explore some of these issue son my blog as well. I will keep an eye on yours. Grace...James

[dsd]

Hi James,I just clicked on your blog for the first time today, and you commented here a few hours later. Small world!I found these quotes in Keller's sermons on Esther, which you can download from the Redeemer site. I think he's done three of the four-part series to date. I subscribe to them and always enjoy when he touches on this issue.I'm familiar with Greidanus and Sola Scriptura. I'm eager to learn more - I'll be watching your blog and looking forward to your posts on it.

[James Grant]

Thanks for the information. I guess you check Justin Taylor's blog? :)

[dsd]

Yes, that's how I found you.