Tim Keller writes, “we encourage our people not to Despise the city (withdrawing, like a turtle), nor Reflect the city(blending, like a chameleon), nor Use the city (for their own purposes), but Love the city, live here, and serve it as good neighbors.”
The “evangelical Yoda”, as Tim Keller is often referred to, has greatly influenced my thinking over the years through his books, sermons, and ministry in general. Each time he speaks on “idolatry,” I am challenged to the very core of my understanding of the Gospel. Many times God has taken a sledgehammer to my worthless idols as I have listened to him preach the Word.
This week I have been especially contemplating the above quote, seeking to better understand how it applies to campus ministry through college students. In a city like Birmingham, where you have such a variety of college campuses, I think it would be wise for students to consider how Keller’s teaching applies to their particular campus.
Birmingham is home to a large state university (UAB), a small liberal arts college (Birmingham-Southern), a Baptist University (Samford), a large junior college (Jefferson State Community College), a small Bible college (Southeastern) and a few others.
As I spend time with college students in the Birmingham area, I find there are a variety of responses to campus life. Some just withdraw from campus life completely due to things like opposition to the Gospel. Others are at the other end of the spectrum, blindly joining in with and reflecting typical campus life.
I believe Keller is right when he encourages us not to despise, reflect or use the city…instead, he admonishes us to love the city. Students should live a Christ-centered lifestyle while at the same time serving their neighbors on campus. Instead of only using the campus for personal pleasure and advancement, students should find ways to be of service. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the college campuses in Birmingham filled with students who are not withdrawn or blending in but who are instead engaged in campus life, loving and serving those around them, and impacting students and their families, as well as faculty and administration, with the Gospel.
I hope this will encourage our college students to take an honest look at how they are interacting with their campuses. The campuses are filled with students who have great needs and problems that need answers. Each campus has its on unique opportunities to see Gospel advancement. It is a great mission field- one of the greatest students will ever encounter. We need students who are mission-minded, who see their campuses as great opportunities to bring about Gospel change in the lives of others. God has placed our college students on campuses for a purpose, and I pray they will clearly see that purpose and serve Him well by loving those around them.