Remembering Keller, 1 year on
A few of my favourite things
At the time I wrote a piece immediately after Tim Keller's death. I suspect that I have read, and certainly listened, to more Keller, than perhaps ever before. The anniversary of his death is today, and it seemed a fitting time to revisit some things.
So, in this post I just want to share books and things by Keller that I've found beneficial, and why. I don’t really have anything to say in the realm of ‘assessing his legacy’ or ‘personal reminiscences’, just appreciation for books and writing and sermons. So, think of the following as mini-reviews. Think of me as the waiter giving you his thoughts on the menu.
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering
I found this book tremendously helpful on a person level, and I think it's especially good because it deals with the problem of evil on three levels. It discusses it philosophically, and makes a strong case that Christianity provides a better set of answers/tools for dealing with it that any alternative; it tackles it theologically, with a broad and comprehensive treatment of Scripture; and it handles it pastorally, with wise advice and practices for responding and keeping on in faith, when dealing with suffering.
Prayer
I have indeed read quite a few books on prayer. This is my top pick of them all, because it (again) has a theological robustness to it, takes you to some greats (Augustine, Luther, Calvin), applies it both in theory and practice, and equips you to pray. Brilliant.
Preaching
Not so much a 'how-to' as a manifesto, this is a book worth reading if you are a preacher. I particularly appreciate how Keller approaches 'application' and 'illustration', that is, applying the gospel to our hearts, and the need for preaching to move your affections.
Center Church
I think this book is underrated and overlooked, but it lays out a vision for church(es) and church-planting, and a gospel-shaped ministry. If memory does not deceive me, it grew out of Redeemer church-planting materials which is where I first encountered this. Very good for a broad vision of ministry that is 'gospel'-centred through and through.
The Reason for God
Keller's breakthrough 'hit' and perhaps most famous book? I think it's the first one I read, and I even bought a copy for a family member. Reasoned, 'winsome' [ugh, yes. I detest the way this word has become weaponised around Keller in recent years, because I think Keller is winsome, but I don't think that's a 'strategy' or a stance, it's just him and his godly character], and a clear argument for God.
Forgive
Keller's last book before his death, and so in some ways his final gift to the church. I have re-read it quite a few times. It helped to make sense of interpersonal forgiveness for me in a new and profound way. Again, I think this book integrates things at different levels, the theological, philosophical, and pastoral. It's also written at a very accessible level.1 I've now recommended it to several people individually.
The Prodigal Prophet (Jonah)
I first listened to Keller's sermons on Jonah, before reading this. I think this could rightly be called the OT version of his work on the Prodigal Son parable. It's a multifaceted proclamation of the gospel, from Jonah.
Counterfeit Gods
Not one of his best known books, but still a good one. Takes the main idea of idolatry as the idols of our hearts, and works this through in detail, especially around love, money, and power. I want to say ‘surprisingly good’, but it’s not surprising.
The Prodigal God
Keller took, and made richer and more popular, Clowney's take on Luke 15. Which he freely admits. And he did an excellent job. It's hard not to read this parable through this lens now, the older brother/younger brother paradigm. In many ways, this book lays out Keller's distinctive 3rd way reading strategy. I think this book is the most distinctive “Here’s how Keller views the gospel” book.
Preaching course: Preaching Christ in a Postmodern World
I remember coming across this course shortly after seminary, in my first ministry position, and finding it so insightful. It helped Shaped my whole approach to preaching and still does. It also introduced me to Edmund Clowney's work, and I still get a lot out of Clowney. Very glad to see TGC repackage this course and make it more accessible just recently.
Sermons and sermon archive
I love the experience of knowing an author's real voice, to the extent that you can hear them when you read their writings. There's an extensive set of Keller recordings, and you can listen to them in podcast form. I also have the Keller Sermon archive on Logos, so I can read a lot of sermons, or refer to a transcript of one I've heard. Or search for how many times he cites Lewis. I’ll spare you a list of my favourite sermons though.
My least favourite thing about Keller
I said this in a post the other day, but a good 90% (maybe more?) of the time that Keller tells you what a Greek word means (and Hebrew, but I'm more sensitive about Greek, he is about to engage in an exegetical fallacy. He's not usually 100% wrong, but he's engaged in lexical overreach. I rarely think this undermines his overall points or theology, but gosh it gets under my skin!
The thing I come back to
Is that Keller has a knack for bringing the gospel to apply to he heart, and uncovering the idols of the heart. He keeps pushing me to a faith that is multi-dimensional, that is authentic, aesthetic, affective; that engages the whole of my person and results in whole of life transformation. And that’s some of what keeps me revisiting Keller’s thought and writings again and again.
My other two best books on forgiveness are both by Miroslav Volf. But Free of Charge is more difficult, and a bit heavy for the average reader. And Exclusion and Embrace is theologically deep, but it's hard-thinking and hard-reading for pretty much everyone. Both great books, but more than most people will chew-on.