Thank you for this heartfelt tribute. I haven't really engaged with Keller's ideas in a general or broad sense, although I've read a few of his books; I really appreciated his his burden for the city, which is a calling I share. He is truly an example for us all.
No doubt. Redeemer did so much work in the city. Including funding a program that I happened to work for which supported a group of kids in Hell's Kitchen. So many lives were changed by him.
"This man, who I never spoke to, is almost single-handedly responsible for making Christianity remain plausible for me at the most uncertain time in my life."
Replace remain with become and I could have written that sentence.
Keller refused to simplify Christianity into pat doctrinal systems and hence made it more robust, more compelling, more honest. His sermons on suffering were profound. He was my jumping off point into a world of Christians who were intellectual and not smugly self-righteous or feeling-dominated mystical. In other words, a world where there is space for me. I think.
I experienced so much the same Danny. Tim Keller and his impact has also been on my mind this week. The feeling of “oh - I didn’t know THIS was possible!” An intelligent and calm pastor who each week lead me to a deeper understanding of God - both theoretical and day to day life - somehow in a way that made it all accessible, reasonable and entirely “doable”.
Thank you for this piece! Christianity is so much more than a way to prove or advocate a certain political ideology. Keller was faithful to the eternal and universal vision of the Faith.
Thank you for this heartfelt tribute. I haven't really engaged with Keller's ideas in a general or broad sense, although I've read a few of his books; I really appreciated his his burden for the city, which is a calling I share. He is truly an example for us all.
No doubt. Redeemer did so much work in the city. Including funding a program that I happened to work for which supported a group of kids in Hell's Kitchen. So many lives were changed by him.
"This man, who I never spoke to, is almost single-handedly responsible for making Christianity remain plausible for me at the most uncertain time in my life."
Replace remain with become and I could have written that sentence.
Keller refused to simplify Christianity into pat doctrinal systems and hence made it more robust, more compelling, more honest. His sermons on suffering were profound. He was my jumping off point into a world of Christians who were intellectual and not smugly self-righteous or feeling-dominated mystical. In other words, a world where there is space for me. I think.
That sums it up so well, Jessica. That refusal to rest in simplicity was vital. I love how you put it.
I experienced so much the same Danny. Tim Keller and his impact has also been on my mind this week. The feeling of “oh - I didn’t know THIS was possible!” An intelligent and calm pastor who each week lead me to a deeper understanding of God - both theoretical and day to day life - somehow in a way that made it all accessible, reasonable and entirely “doable”.
That's exactly how he made me feel!!
Thank you for this piece! Christianity is so much more than a way to prove or advocate a certain political ideology. Keller was faithful to the eternal and universal vision of the Faith.