Tim Keller: Religion vs Christianity

I just finished an excerpt of a Tim Keller teaching, linked above [and password protected, sorry]. He makes some remarkable points about truly making a positive impact on American culture. I'll talk about two here:
1. Go to the city. Cities are what impact culture, even if (as in the U.S.) they represent a small proportion of the total population. When christians talk about declining morals in society, they're referencing urban influence, since a majority of suburban and rural Americans self-identify as evangelical or protestant christian (not true in cities like NYC). I've heard him say elsewhere that "the biblical narrative starts in a garden, but ends in a city". I think God has a special heart for cities.
2. Religion versus Christianity. Keller's incisive contrast here is both compelling and convicting. Click on the link and look at #2 for the list- if you're honest with yourself, probably you're like me and are often more religious than christian. He makes these points as a challenge to preach and live the Gospel, not just as a reaction to "liberal theology" but in opposition to religion. Whoa.

Role Model?

Because my life is a role model to other students, I am committed to...

1. Transparency. Appropriately, I hope. I want students and staff to feel that I am honest and open with them about my life - and frankly that's to my benefit, because then I have the opportunity to be corrected when I am in error.
2. Excellence. (Especially in what I produce, as excellence in my life is much more complicated.) I want to model attention to detail, because I believe that matters and is often lacking.
   
3. Processing my issues. This one is not directly related to being a role model (or shouldn't be). I want to not ignore patterns of sin in my life, but acknowledge them as a first step of asking God to intervene.

Seeing a new movement planted and growing makes me think of... the spiritual ripples that will result from a few faithful students who are committed to reaching their friends and peers. This is particularly poignant to me in the Northeast, because of the spiritual climate and potential influence of the students here.