Timothy Keller, one of the world’s most influential Christian voice, passed away in the early morning hours of May 19, 2023. A beacon of faith, Keller passed away at the age of 72, following a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. This article seeks to honor his memory, delving into the life he led and his significant contributions to Christians and the church worldwide.

Early Life and Path to Ministry

The Formation of a Future Minister

Early Years and Education

Tim Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania and, although he attended a Lutheran Church in American during his upbringing, he became a Christian while at Bucknell University due to the ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He later served as a staff member with InterVarsity.

After graduating from Bucknell University in 1972, he pursued a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he met his wife, Kathy Keller, and then went on to receive a D.Min at Westminster Theological Seminary in 1981.

Embracing the Call

Timothy Keller’s journey into ministry began with his ordination in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). His passion for sharing the gospel message led him to serve various churches before establishing his own in New York City.

He served as a pastor at West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia for nine years while also serving as director of church planting for the PCA. Additionally, he served on the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, where he and his wife Kathy Keller were involved in urban ministry.

Establishing Redeemer Presbyterian Church, A Church for the City

Redeemer Presbyterian Church was founded in 1989 in New York City by Tim Keller and his wife, Kathy Keller, along with a group of individuals who saw a need for a new church in Manhattan that could serve the city’s professional community. Their vision was to establish a church that was theologically conservative but culturally engaging and committed to serving the city’s diverse population. Keller was recruited by his denomination despite his relative lack of experience.

The church quickly grew, gaining recognition for its thoughtful, gospel-centered teaching, and efforts to engage with the city’s culture. It became known for its ministry efforts, including numerous social and cultural initiatives aimed at serving New York City.

A distinct feature of Redeemer Presbyterian Church is its focus on young urban professionals, a demographic Keller believed exerted a disproportionate influence over culture and its ideas.

This focus resulted in a unique composition for a U.S. megachurch; the majority of the congregation is made up of single adults, and many congregants work in the arts and financial services.

Redeemer has continued to expand and evolve, with several locations across the city, and a variety of ministries and initiatives aimed at serving the community and proclaiming the gospel in a way that is accessible and relevant to contemporary New Yorkers.

Top Themes of Keller’s Writings and Teaching

Faith and Doubt

Keller often addressed the interplay between faith and doubt, acknowledging that questions and uncertainties are a part of the Christian journey. His book “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism” is a prime example of this focus.

In the book, Keller presents a defense of Christian belief. He addresses common objections to Christianity, such as the exclusivity of truth claims, the problem of suffering, and the perception that Christianity limits personal freedom, and presents positive arguments for faith in Christianity, discussing what Keller sees as clues to God’s existence, the concept of sin, and the significance of Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection. He combines philosophical argument, personal anecdote, and biblical interpretation to engage skeptics, non-believers, and believers alike in a conversation about faith and doubt.

Grace and Redemption

The concepts of grace and redemption are key themes in Keller’s teachings. His book “The Prodigal God” reinterprets the Parable of the Prodigal Son to highlight God’s lavish grace.

“The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith” offers a fresh interpretation of Jesus’ best-known parable – the parable of the prodigal son – to demonstrate the true nature of Christianity. Keller suggests that the story isn’t just about a wayward son, but also about an elder brother and a father, representing a self-righteous moralist, a wayward sinner, and a gracious God, respectively.

He emphasizes that both the rebellious and the religious need God’s grace and mercy. Keller’s main argument is that the heart of the Christian faith is centered on the grace of God towards both moral outliers and stringent moralists, thus redefining sin, lostness, and salvation in a way that encompasses a broader range of human experiences.

The Gospel in Modern Society

Keller frequently discussed how to understand and apply the gospel in the context of modern, secular society. He addressed how Christianity interacts with contemporary issues and culture.

Timothy Keller, in his works and teachings, often addressed the role of the Gospel in modern society. He advocated that the Gospel is not just personally transformative but should also have a transformative impact on society. Keller emphasized that Christianity, properly understood, should equip believers to engage with societal issues, promoting justice, mercy, and love in tangible ways. He posited that the Gospel message is relevant to every sphere of life, including work, culture, and politics, and that Christians are called to be salt and light in the world.

He also addressed common critiques and objections to Christianity in the modern age, arguing that faith and reason are not opposed, but rather that Christianity provides a rational and robust response to the deepest questions of life. Despite the secularization of modern society, Keller argued that the Gospel’s message of grace, hope, and redemption remains profoundly relevant.

Apologetics

Keller was well known for his work in apologetics, defending Christian beliefs against common objections and misconceptions. He sought to present the Christian faith as intellectually robust and emotionally satisfying.

Timothy Keller is known for his thoughtful approach to Christian apologetics, the discipline of defending religious doctrines through systematic argumentation and discourse. In his works, he emphasized the importance of engaging with skepticism and doubt in a respectful and understanding manner. Keller argued that faith and reason are not opposed, but rather complement each other, and that Christianity provides robust, rational responses to life’s deepest questions.

He believed that apologetics should not be about winning arguments, but about demonstrating the beauty and coherence of the Christian worldview. To this end, he often engaged with common objections to Christianity, showing how the Gospel offers compelling answers. Keller’s approach to apologetics is characterized by intellectual rigor, cultural engagement, and a deep respect for the questions and concerns of skeptics.

Prayer

Keller devoted significant attention to the discipline of prayer, focusing on its power and centrality in the Christian life. His book “Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God” explores this in depth.

Timothy Keller’s approach to prayer can be understood through his book “Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God”. According to Keller, prayer is not just a practice but a means to experience a personal relationship with God. He advocates for a balanced prayer life that incorporates praise, confession, thanksgiving, and requests.

For Keller, prayer is more than a duty or discipline; it’s a way to know God better and foster a deeper relationship with Him. It involves not just the mind and will, but also the heart and affections. He believes that prayer is a way of seeing the truth about ourselves and God, and it’s through this practice that we can experience awe, intimacy, struggle—yet gain assurance and joy.

Justice and Mercy

Keller explored themes of justice and mercy, particularly as they relate to social issues. His book “Generous Justice” explores how understanding and practicing justice is a central part of the Christian life.

“Generous Justice” is a book by Tim Keller that explores the concept of justice from a Christian perspective. In the book, Keller argues that a true understanding of the Christian Gospel should lead to a life of justice, and that justice is not simply an aspect of Christian life but rather an inseparable part of it. He also explores how this understanding of justice can be applied in contemporary society.

Christianity and Work

The integration of faith and work was another recurring theme in Keller’s writings. He emphasized that all work has dignity and value, and that Christianity provides a compelling perspective on our vocations.

In his book “Every Good Endeavor“, Tim Keller presents his perspectives on Christianity and work. He posits that God is a creator and, as His people, humans are also creators. Work, therefore, has dignity because it is something that God does, and we do it in God’s place, as his representatives. This belief, according to Keller, sets Christianity apart from other religions. He suggests that work is the way in which we make ourselves useful to others, so one of the primary ways we can exemplify Christianity in our workplaces is by being competent.

He also talks about the idolatry many people struggle with in the workplace – trying to impress man rather than God. For Christians, work should be done with all one’s heart and might, not feel like a burden, and be performed as if serving a loving heavenly Father, which provides both accountability and joy. Christians, he states, should be known for not being ruthless, being generous, and being calm in the face of difficulty. Lastly, Keller calls on Christians to consider the implications of their specific industries or fields in relation to human well-being and justice

Urban Ministry

As the pastor of a large church in New York City, Keller often spoke about the challenges and opportunities of urban ministry. He addressed how the gospel speaks to city dwellers and the importance of planting churches in cities.

Keller argued that cities are influential centers of culture, economics, and education, and that they are therefore key strategic locations for Christian ministry. Keller’s approach to urban ministry has been characterized by a focus on holistic gospel preaching, cultural engagement, and intentional discipleship.

At Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, Keller’s ministry has been marked by its outreach to young urban professionals, a demographic he believes has significant influence over cultural and societal ideas. Additionally, the church has been noted for its diverse congregation and its commitment to social justice through initiatives like Hope for New York.

Church Planting

Closely related to his focus on urban ministry, Keller emphasized the importance of church planting in spreading the gospel and creating vibrant Christian communities.

Gospel-Centered Ministry

Throughout his work, Keller consistently highlighted the importance of centering all aspects of Christian ministry on the gospel message. He advocated for a “gospel-centered” approach to preaching, discipleship, community, and mission.

Keller’s Major Contributions

Expanding Christian Thought Through Writing

Keller was an accomplished author, penning several best-selling books. These works expanded Christian thought, addressing questions of faith and skepticism in an increasingly secular society. His books, including “The Reason for God,” “The Prodigal God,” and “Prayer,” have become essential readings for many Christians.

Building Christian Community in Urban Settings

Through Redeemer Presbyterian Church and later Redeemer City to City, Keller demonstrated the power of Christian community in urban settings. His efforts helped plant numerous churches globally, thereby expanding the reach of the Gospel.

Pioneering a New Approach to Apologetics

As a thought leader in Christian circles, Keller pioneered a new approach to apologetics. He engaged with skeptics and seekers alike, presenting the Christian faith as both intellectually robust and deeply satisfying.

Final Thoughts

In the passing of Tim Keller, we remember a man of committed to biblical truth and intellectual rigor. He was a pastor who sought to bridge the gap between the sacred and the secular, the believer and the skeptic. His legacy will continue to influence Christians and the church for years to come, a testament to a life well-lived and a faith well-exemplified. He will be greatly missed from us at Ambassador Times.

Notable Quotes from Timothy Keller

On the only way to please God: “Those who believe they have pleased God by the quality of their devotion and moral goodness naturally feel that they and their group deserve deference and power over others. The God of Jesus and the prophets, however, saves completely by grace. He cannot be manipulated by religious and moral performance–he can only be reached through repentance, through the giving up of power. If we are saved by sheer grace we can only become grateful, willing servants of God and of everyone around us.” – The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

On the justice of the gospel: “…God’s grace and forgiveness, while free to the recipient, are always costly for the giver…. From the earliest parts of the Bible, it was understood that God could not forgive without sacrifice. No one who is seriously wronged can “just forgive” the perpetrator…. But when you forgive, that means you absorb the loss and the debt. You bear it yourself. All forgiveness, then, is costly.”

On loving our neighbor who is difficult to love: “We instinctively tend to limit for whom we exert ourselves. We do it for people like us, and for people whom we like. Jesus will have none of that. By depicting a Samaritan helping a Jew, Jesus could not have found a more forceful way to say that anyone at all in need – regardless of race, politics, class, and religion – is your neighbors. Not everyone is your brother or sister in faith, but everyone is your neighbors, and you must love your neighbors.” – Generous Justice: How God’s Grace Makes Us Just

On the purpose of church: “The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” – The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

On churches attracting people as Jesus did: “Jesus’s teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing, religious people of his day. However, in the main, our churches today do not have this effect. The kind of outsiders Jesus attracted are not attracted to contemporary churches, even our most avant-garde ones. We tend to draw conservative, buttoned-down, moralistic people. The licentious and liberated or the broken and marginal avoid church. That can only mean one thing. If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did.” – The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

On work / vocation: “A job is a vocation only if someone else calls you to do it for them rather than for yourself. And so our work can be a calling only if it is reimagined as a mission of service to something beyond merely our own interests. Thinking of work mainly as a means of self-fulfillment and self-realization slowly crushes a person.” – Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Plan for the World

On church and politics: “The Church needs to be vigilant against being co-opted by any secular party or ideology. The ultimate hope is not in the political system but in a restored world, a renewed world.” – Twitter: May 12, 2023

FAQs

What books did Tim Keller write?

• The Reason for God
• The Prodigal God
• Prayer
• Generous Justice
• Making Sense of God
• The Meaning of Marriage

When did Tim Keller pass away?

• Tim Keller passed away on May 19, 2023 after battling with pancreatic cancer

What was Tim Keller’s contribution to Christianity?

• Keller made significant contributions to Christianity through his writings, his innovative approach to apologetics, and his efforts to build Christian community in urban settings.