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DECEMBER 2012 THE NESTORIAN THREAT TO

BY KATHY KELLER [Author’s Note: In 1972, value whatsoever. That certainly specially anointed by when Tim and I were students himself passed the death sen- God, was not fully God as well. at Gordon-Conwell Theological tence on our sin and disobedi- On the other hand Docetism Seminary, he wrote an article en- ence, then came to suffer that (and several other similar teach- titled “Hermeneutical Nestorian- sentence himself, after having ings) taught that was fully ism.” Although I haven’t seen this lived a perfect, sinless life, trad- God, but only masquerading as article in 40 years (it may still ex- ing his reward for our punish- human, not really subject to the ist at the bottom of a closet), I re- ment is the in its most sorrows, temptations, and trials member it vividly and have drawn concise form. For his sinless of human beings. on it for this piece.] life to matter, and be sufficient Docetism seems to have run At Christmas we often sing to earn God’s favor, he had to its course—we don’t hear many of “Emmanuel, God with us” do it as a man, not a divine people today insisting that Je- in praise of the incarnation of being for whom nothing was sus was God and only appeared God as the man Jesus. The an- very difficult. to be human. But the family gel announced this startling This is not easy to compre- of Nestorian views is another news, and throughout the Gos- hend, and yet it is the heart of matter. It is the preferred stance pels Jesus confounds, confuses, the mystery of . It is no of the modern world—Jesus and infuriates his hearers by wonder that the early Church was a fully human being, and claiming, in word and deed, al- worked hard to protect this although given special gifts and lusion and action, to be none truth from variants that would grace by God, he was still just other than God himself. have tilted the nature of Christ human, a first century Semitic Although fully divine, Jesus into one of two : Nesto- man of his time, limited and was fully human as well. Had rianism (and several other re- even (some assert) flawed. he not been, his life and death lated heresies) taught that Jesus While I am accustomed to would have no redemptive was fully human, and though (Continued on page 7)

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO DONATE TO HIS TOY STORE!

t’s not too late to donate a Thursday, December 6. After 4,000 children) in need, some Inew toy to HFNY’s His Toy that, we will send the toys to of whom have been affected by Store, our Christmas outreach our 10 His Toy Store sites in Hurricane Sandy. Through His to families in need. Use our Brooklyn, Washington Heights, Toy Store, families in need have Amazon Wishlist at hfny.org/ Harlem, South Bronx, Coney an opportunity to connect to wishlist and send a toy straight Island, and the Lower East Side. a local church, where they can to our office! We are expecting to pro- find community. We must receive all toys by vide toys for 1,500 families (or Visit hfny.org/HTS to learn more! 2012 GOSPEL & CULTURE CONFERENCE: A PERSONAL REFLECTION

BY JOANNA STEPHENS restling God. The image power. Our group came away waiting on God, seeking his Wisn’t an easy one to hold stunned by the beauty God en- Spirit’s wisdom and blessing for in one’s mind for long, individ- abled us to experience through the day. ually or corporately. As believ- the arts. And yet the confer- The morning proceeded ers, we often tend to shy away ence had just begun, and built with talks from Tim Keller from God when he challenges intensely on those themes the and theologian Vincent Bacote us. Yet on November 2-3, near- following day at St. Bart’s. about God’s design to bless us ly 500 people convened at St. The next day opened in in the midst of trials, pointing Bart’s Cathedral in midtown to prayer and a half hour corpo- to Christ’s completed work and dive deep into the implications rate devotional, reading and the Spirit’s power. This was in- of that difficult encounter. The meditating on the scripture of terspersed with spotlights on Center for Faith & Work’s various practitioners from second annual Gospel & both inside and outside Culture Conference en- titled “Wrestling God. the Redeemer commu- Work Re-Imagined” be- nity recounting their own gan with participants at- experiences wrestling tending various cultural God in their careers. I was events throughout the amazed at the breadth of city as “GLIMPSES” of sectors represented and God’s glory and ended appreciated the candor with a commission to with which the practitio- ners spoke of their own participate in making his CFW 2nd annual Gospel & Culture Conference kingdom a here on faith and work struggles. Earth, in the face of struggles the weekend: Genesis 27-32, There was something incred- and brokenness along the way. recounting Jacob’s life of strug- ibly special about hearing and My conference experience gle and yearning for blessing. sharing those hardships togeth- began with my GLIMPSE—a Complemented by high cho- er in community and discussing performance of Puccini’s Tu- ral music soaring overhead, this the implications on our own randot at the Metropolitan Op- was one of the most unique and lives during the break-out ses- era Friday night. It’s a story of powerful aspects of the confer- sions that followed. It was also unrequited love, struggle, perse- ence; before diving head-first wonderful to take these strug- verance, and ultimately victory into programming and plena- gles and offer them to God in through sacrifice, all to mu- ries, it was amazing to sit still prayer and worship throughout sic that portrays these themes together and witness a whole the day. with incredible emotional cathedral full of people quietly (Continued on page 8)

The Redeemer Report is a publication of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church. REDEEMER REPORT

Hunter College Auditorium W83rd Ministry Center Metropolitan Pavilion Kathy Keller East 69th St. 150 W. 83rd St. 125 W. 18th St. (between Park & Lexington) (between Columbus & Amsterdam) (between 6th & 7th Aves.) Heather Klein Services at Services at Services at 10:30AM & 6PM 9:15AM, 11:15AM, 5PM, 7PM 9:30AM & 5PM 2 DIACONATE MERCY FUND SPECIAL OFFERING

n Sunday, December 9 which brings healing, provi- ness, social and spiritual hard- Oat all services on the East sion and spiritual growth. The ships. Side and Downtown and Mercy Fund enables our dea- “I thank you both for Sunday, December 16 at the cons and deaconesses to model all you have done for me West Side AM services the Jesus’ compassion for his sheep in Jesus name. I have never Diaconate will receive our an- and continue to meet the con- felt so cared for as I have nual Special Offering. We rely crete and visible needs of those during this awful time on your prayer support, and in our church family. of unemployment and invite you to partner with us As we approach this Christ- confusion. It has changed by giving to the Mercy Fund. mas season, we are thankful my perspective on many In addition to prayerfully con- that the birth of Jesus gave us things.” sidering contributing to this hope and promise of relief in - Diaconate Care Recipient vital ministry of mercy, please the midst of this broken world. encourage those congregants God displays his abundant And if you are a Redeem- around you who are in need to mercy and faithful love to us er member or regular attend- contact the Diaconate for help. through his son, Jesus Christ. ee with a financial or other Our Mercy Fund is available to It is Christ’s never-ceasing in- practical need, please call the members and regular attendees tercession on our behalf that Diaconate Helpline, (917) 719- of Redeemer. comforts us, transforms our 0259. For more , We on the Diaconate con- hearts and strengthens us to visit www.redeemer.com/diaconate. tinue to marvel at our Lord’s face of the hurricanes of life Thank you in advance for ongoing and unfailing mercy, such as physical illness, jobless- your partnership.

HOPE FOR NEW YORK: 2012 IN REVIEW

s we at Hope for New unteer and financial resources. In addition, Hope for New AYork reflect on this past In fiscal year 2012 our volun- York has pledged to give up year, we are deeply encour- teers gave over 41,700 hours to $100,000 toward Hurri- aged by how God has used in service to our affiliates. Due cane Sandy Relief efforts. The our affiliates to extend Christ’s in large part to the generosity ramifications of this storm will love and bring shalom to New of Redeemer congregants, we be massive and long-lasting, York Cit y. distributed over $1.2 million in especially for the poorest and We partner with 39 organi- grants in 2012. most vulnerable in our city, zations that serve the poor and Also because of your gener- and we continue to work with marginalized all over the city— osity, we have been able to mo- our Hope for New York af- from Bushwick to Chinatown bilize hundreds of volunteers to filiates, community and church to the South Bronx. These or- assist with Hurricane Sandy re- partners towards long-term ganizations serve populations lief efforts to support our affili- recovery. including at-risk youth, the ates who are serving those af- In the coming year, we look homeless, vulnerable women, fected by the storm, particularly forward to reaching new neigh- those living with HIV/AIDS, in lower Manhattan. We have borhoods and populations by and the elderly. also deployed hundreds of vol- expanding our affiliate partner- Our mission is to strengthen unteers to devastated parts of ships. We will also continue to the work of these organizations Staten Island, the Rockaways, deepen our commitment to by providing them with vol- Coney Island and Long Island. (Continued on page 6) 3 LAUNCHING THE DOWNTOWN CONGREGATION AND THE HURRICANE

BY JOHN LIN fter two years of planning an important step towards be- From opening up our homes Aand praying, the Down- coming a Downtown com- to others within our congre- town Congregation launched munity where people can ex- gation, serving in evacuation our first Sunday worship ser- plore , work for the centers and shelters, check- on October 21st with flourishing of the city and serve ing in with elderly neighbors, both morning and evening those in need. and helping to bring relief in services! With more than 600 Soon after our first wor- heavily affected areas like Stat- attendees at each service and ship services, our congrega- en Island and the Rockaways, 70 children in our Children’s tion was quickly challenged by Downtown congregants have Ministries, it was an the devastation of Hurricane jumped in to serve. joy to gather for Sunday wor- Sandy. It has been great to see I pray that for months and ship for the first time! so many members of our con- years to come, our congregation For the many Redeemer gregation immediately work- will continue to serve those in members and attenders who ing to serve those who were need in the city and work for live in the area, this marked directly affected by the storm. its prosperity and peace.

THE LONG LASTING EFFECTS OF HURRICANE SANDY

BY ABRAHAM CHO hortly after Hurricane many layers of relationships we It was then that I saw how S Sandy stormed through would have to go through be- the impact of poverty runs the city, New York Magazine fore we would hit the cement much deeper than lacking ma- ran a striking cover photo of a cot in a school cafeteria. terial . Poverty so often that captured the “tale of two means the lack of access to sup- cities” that New Yorkers were port, resources and the dignity experiencing. Lower Man- of belonging. I saw that Sandy hattan enshrouded in an ee- didn’t create poverty and vul- Photo: Allison Pichert Photo: rie darkness; Upper Manhat nerability. It actually exposed tan alive with the energy for the hidden vulnerability of the which this city is famous. (You poor that was always there—I can see the photo at http://ny just didn’t have eyes to see. mag.com/news/features/hurricane- But I’m beginning to see. I sandy-2012-11/.) At street lev- see that all that we are doing el, residents of uptown neigh- as a church in disaster relief— borhoods felt grateful—and collecting emergency supplies, guilty—for being spared as sending volunteers to hard-hit people suffered immensely, all areas, distributing relief funds— just a few subway stops away. is important, timely and . On my walk home one night But more importantly, I’m after volunteering at an evacu- Storm surge reaches Roosevelt Island beginning to see that while lov- ation center, I began to wonder We weren’t just well-off ma- ing the poor may begin with to myself what it would take terially, we were well-off re- occasional volunteer responses, for me and my family to find lationally. But this, apparently, it must lead to a of ourselves staying at one of these wasn’t the case for the people I continuous love for neighbor. 4 centers. I was amazed at how met that evening. (Continued on page 8) CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Please make note of the special service details in December.

EAST SIDE CONGREGATION Sunday, December 16 Lessons and Carols at the 9:45AM, 11:30AM, & 6:00PM services

WEST SIDE CONGREGATION Sunday, December 9 Lessons and Carols at the 9:15AM & 11:15AM services Sunday, December 16 Lessons and Carols at the 5:00PM & 7:00PM services

DOWNTOWN CONGREGATION ADVENT OBSERVANCES Sunday, December 2 at the 9:30AM & 5:00PM services in the South Pavilion Sunday, December 9 at the 9:30AM & 5:00PM services in the South Pavilion Sunday, December 16 at the 9:30AM & 5:00PM services in the South Pavilion Sunday, December 23 at the 9:30AM service only in the South Pavilion *Limited childcare provided Monday, December 24 services at 5:00PM & 10:30PM in the Carriage House *No childcare provided

5 WHAT IF THE CHRIST CHILD WAS BORN INTO YOUR FAMILY?

BY LYN COOK, ES COMMUNITY GROUP DIRECTOR cripture reveals how the At Christmas time we have an penalty; and finally Asking Sbirth of Christ upended the opportunity to celebrate what God to practically work his lives of many. Mary prayed to Christ has done for us by ush- righteousness into your life. the Father when told she would ering in the birth of the Christ 2. Take extra time just be the mother of the Savior, “I child, in some ways like we to be with Jesus; pray to be am yours body and soul; let welcome a newborn into our warmed with a new affec- it be to me as you have said.” home. Bringing home a new- tion for him. (Luke 1:38). She did not con- born would demand our full sider her life or her body her attention, time and love. Re- 3. Give up a few holiday own but gave full rights to God. sponding to the grace of Christ activities to allow room for Joseph’s plans were overturned in our life should do the same. the simplicity that would be with another angel’s visit, so he What would it look like to true of life if you had just reversed his decision to end his welcome the Christ child into had a baby. engagement to Mary and in- your home and life this Christ- 4. Look around you and stead “he did what the angel mas? The days and weeks lead- notice who needs to know of the Lord had commanded ing up to Christmas can bring about the coming of Christ. him and took Mary home simplicity, focused worship, and Welcome them into your as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24). an overhaul of all priorities life this season and give The shepherds heard Christ around Christ. them a glimpse of Jesus. the Lord was born and “hur- Here are some ideas that can ried off and found Mary and 5. Give the gift of hum- get you started: Joseph, and the baby.” (Luke bling yourself and serving 2:16). They left their responsi- 1. Read the Christmas others as Christ humbled bilities at work in order to wor- narrative in Matthew, Mark, himself and served. ship. The new baby, God’s son, and Luke and as you do so entered into the lives of Mary, meditate on Adoring God May you find this Christmas Joseph, and the shepherds and for who he shows himself season to be one where Christ became their priority. to be; Confessing how you slows you down to worship Christ enters into the life are not what you were cre- Him alone. You will find Him of those who place their faith ated to be; Thanking Jesus to be a “Wonderful Coun- in him for salvation. This faith for being born as a man and selor, Mighty God, Everlasting can and should change the living the life you could Father, and Prince of Peace.” common order of their lives. not and dying to pay your (Isaiah 9:6)

HFNY 2012 IN REVIEW... (CONT’D FROM PAGE 3)

our current affiliates, providing ask that you respond by remem- need so they can continue in volunteer support, direct grants, bering the poor among us. Pray their good work. and capacity-building oppor- for those who are hurting and As we at Hope for New tunities to help them do their hopeless this Christmas, that York seek to serve the poor work more effectively. they would receive their hope and most vulnerable in our This Christmas season, as and comfort from Christ. Pray city, please consider making a you remember Jesus, who emp- for our affiliates who are serv- year-end contribution toward tied himself of His riches and ing these populations, that God our work. You can find ways to 6 came to earth for our sake, we would provide for their every give at hfny.org/donate. THE NESTORIAN THREAT... (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1) hear non-believers talk about As Jesus was fully human but the end of his life, even in the how Jesus was a good man and without sin, the Bible is fully face of painful death, he in- a good teacher, but not God human but without error in all sisted that the Scripture had Himself, it comes as more of a it teaches. to be followed and fulfilled in shock to find professing Chris- However, a form of Nesto- everything (Matthew 26:54). leaning towards this view. rian thinking is now being ap- He died quoting Psalm 22:1. has snuck in the plied to the Bible—by Chris- Something like 10 per cent of back door, as a hermeneuti- tians. The thought is that while all Jesus words in the cal stance towards the Bible. the Bible certainly has many are references to the Old Tes- What happened? great things in it that are in- tament. That’s how important, According to John’s gospel, spired by God, it has much that flawless, and perfect the Scrip- Jesus Christ is the Incarnate is now outmoded, regressive, ture was to Jesus. Word (John 1:1-14). In Jesus or just erroneous, because ulti- And here we see how Jesus- Christ, God has fully expressed mately it is a human book and Nestorianism is connected to and revealed himself to us. God’s power has not been able Bible-Nestorianism. First, if the As we have seen, the Word to prevent these mistakes and Bible is just a collection of an- made flesh is both fully hu- outmoded teachings. cient texts of varying genres man and fully divine. God has But what if we asked this and cultures, then it is not tell- also revealed himself through question: Could the Omnipo- ing the coherent story of re- his written Word, in the Bible, tent Creator of the universe demptive history. The narrative and throughout the centuries sovereignly rule the world arc of God’s work in saving his the Christian church has in- through his providence so that creatures, beginning before the sisted that the Scriptures were the writers of the diverse genres foundation of the world, con- also both human and divine. It and documents which make tinuing through the flawed and is a human document, written up the Scripture would be the sinful people of the Old Testa- by a variety of human authors, perfect vehicles for the trans- ment, and climaxing in the in- and in specific cultural and mission of the truths he has carnation, life, death and resur- historical locations, using hu- chosen to reveal? That’s pretty rection of the God-man Jesus is man language. much a “Duh!” Common sense an imaginative fiction. This means that in order suggests that the God who More importantly, if you in- to understand a biblical text spun the worlds and who now sist that the Bible is more human you must understand what the holds every atom of it together than divine, because it contains human author meant to say would have no trouble com- the outmoded and erroneous, with the particular vocabulary, municating flawlessly with his then of necessity you have a idioms, reasoning, images and creatures. And as the tell Jesus who is more human than literary devices of the time. us, the words of God are flaw- divine, because he was mistaken And yet the Bible is also fully less (Psalm 12:6) and perfect in one of the foundational be- inspired by God (2 Timothy (Psalm 19:7 and 119:96). liefs of his life—the perfection 3:16). Behind all the human But most importantly, this of the Scriptures. A lower view authors is one divine author, high view of Scripture was Je- of the Bible leads to a lower perfectly preparing, inspiring sus’ own. He insisted that not a view of Jesus. and directing them all to write letter or even a part of a letter If we say then he, too, is exactly what he wants them in the Word of God would be flawed, and no longer the fully to write. In the Bible we see a proved false (Matthew 5:17-18) divine God-man who is able document that is fully human and that no Scripture, even a to save us from our sin, then but also no less fully divine, with single word, could be set aside there is nothing to celebrate one Mind behind every word. and ignored (John 10:35). At at Christmas. 7 first class mail Us POstaGE PAID NEW YOrK NY PErmit # 349

GOSPEL & CULTURE CONFERENCE... (CONT’D FROM PAGE 2)

Hearing so many inspiring about the storm and the im- in hope to Christ and his com- accounts of past wrestling, les- mense toll it took on the city, passion to renew it. sons learned, and continued his team, and himself as a leader. All told, the conference was faith journeys, one final aspect It was inspiring to see some- a wonderful experience. There of the conference this particu- one in the very center of the was so much to take away, and lar year was remarkably special. city’s current struggles, wres- I have already begun re-imag- As many know, Redeemer chose tling with how to lead and re- ining my own work in light of to carry on and hold the con- build with integrity, strength, the teachings and inspirations ference at the scheduled time, and perseverance. As applause the weekend gave me. I look five days after Hurricane Sandy. erupted into a standing ova- forward to CFW’s offerings Little known, though, was that tion, emotions swelled, and the this year and encourage you to CFW Director Katherine Als- entire congregation was led in pray for this ministry as it leads dorf’s neighbor is New York prayer for him and his team. In our congregations in looking City’s Chief Transportation the midst of a conference on at what it means to wrestle and Officer. Accepting an invita- wrestling, it felt like an incred- ultimately rest in in tion from Katherine for prayer ible gift from God to share the our work. and support, he spoke to us city’s pain before him and look

LASTING EFFECTS OF HURRICANE... (CONT’D FROM PAGE 4)

Anything less than that simply came poor, so that we through To find regularly updated op- cannot serve as a proper witness his poverty might become portunities to serve go to www.hfny. to the God who “though he rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) org/hurricane. was rich, yet for our sakes be-