A Joyful Sip of Keller

It has always saddened me that I never heard Timothy Keller preach at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Manhattan, New York, where he ministered to young, highly-educated people in finance, medicine, publishing, and the arts—often, strong Christians, seekers, and atheists.

But I did once hear Keller deliver a riveting keynote speech at a Vision New England gathering of 800 people near Boston, (where he limited himself to less than twenty-five minutes), and I’m grateful to have several of his books on my shelves in Mystic, Connecticut, including Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God ( Dutton, 2014) from which I’ll quote just 3 lines: 

“Prayer [to God] turns theology into experience. Through it we sense His presence and receive His joy, His love, His peace and confidence, and thereby we are changed in attitude, behavior, and character.”

When Keller passed on in May, at 72, it was no surprise that the New York Times chose an undisguised Christian columnist, David Brooks, as their main contributor.  His editors chose the title: “Tim Keller Taught Me About Joy,” emphasizing that when Keller was asked what he thought about almost any topic he would lead you to [several] crucial points that pierced any possible clouds of confusion and brought you to a new layer of understanding without being didactic or professorial.

He would say something like: “Hey, you’re thirsty, I happen to have his glass of water, Want a sip?”  Or, as another Bible lover and deep thinker, Mary Baker Eddy, put it: “Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ’s name, and never fear the consequences.” (Science and Health, p. 570.).

No wonder Keller’s name is already established alongside Billy Graham as one of the most gratifying and respected theologians of our time, concluded Russell Moore, in his tribute in Christianity Today.