If you’ve been around Union Church for any amount of time, you’ve quickly realized that we have been influenced by the life and ministry of Tim Keller.
On Friday May 19th, he passed away 3 years after his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Since then many stories, articles, and reflections have been posted remembering and honoring his vast and significant legacy. In the grief there has been profound gratitude to God for the discipleship that’s happened in my life personally. I wanted to share some of the most significant ways I’ve been shaped by Kellers writing, teaching, and example:
A genuine love and humility. This morning my youngest son saw Tim Keller’s biography on my nightstand and said “He looks like a kind, old grandpa.” He did look like that, and in what seems to be increasingly rare for pastors with any amount of influence and popularity, HE WAS THAT. There have been no scandals, inappropriate behavior, or bullying like so many others. Just love and humility for all sorts of people across political, theological, and ecclesiastical settings. He wanted people to see the beauty of Jesus and showed that through his words and deeds till the end.
Showing how the good news of the gospel intersects with the questions and issues of everyday life. The brilliance of Keller was how consistently and practically he connected the story of scripture to actual quandaries and struggles of people today. He resisted straw-man arguments and caricatures while applying the grace of Jesus to life, work, marriage, family, church, politics, money, idols, and so much more in an intelligent, coherent and compelling way.
A marriage and ministry that finished well. Another rarity. The book “The Meaning of Marriage” co-written with his wife Kathy has been such a helpful companion for myself and any couple that’s spent time with it. In any pre or post marital counseling I do, the question inevitably arises “have you read Keller’s book on marriage?” and if not, it’s such a good place to start. In addition to being a good man to his wife and kids, he pastored well at Redeemer Church in Manhattan and his book “Center Church” is one of the best and most comprehensive church planting and pastoring books that has been written. He finished his race well.
One of his sermons changed the trajectory of my life and thinking. I’ve shared before about a particularly dark time of my life in the fall of 2018. I battled with prolonged depression and suicidal thoughts that wouldn’t let up for a couple of months. Shortly after that time, while driving through the desert en route California I listened to a sermon of his about Elijah called “The Still Small Voice” (see below) In the sermon there was one line that has permanently shifted my thinking. In talking through Elijah’s struggles and prayer to God to take his life Keller comments “As despondent as he is, he does not assume he has the right to take his own life.” That simple but profound truth was used by the Holy Spirit shift where my mind goes in dark times.
More could be said, but I want to share some of the other articles, books and resources that I’ve come across.
Matt Smethurst compiled his top 50 Tim Keller quotes here.
David Brooks writes at the New York Times how Tim Keller taught him about joy. Read it here.
Don Carson (co-founder of The Gospel Coalition) pays tribute here.
A video tribute below:
Finally, if Tim Keller has written something, it’s likely worth reading, but here are my personal favorite books of his I’ve read so far:
Forgive - Why Should I and How Can I? So far, my favorite book of 2023.
The Meaning of Marriage - Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God - As stated above, this is my go-to book on marriage. Tim and Kathy apply the gospel in comprehensive and deeply helpful ways.
Walking With God through Pain and Suffering - To help us understand the mystery and complexity of suffering, brokenness and how God can still be good in it all.
Prayer - Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God - I’m due to revisit this one, but it is a great read on understanding and implementing prayer in the Christian life.
Prodigal God - Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith - Short, sweet, and paradigm shifting for me back in the early 2010s