A Summer Book Read: Tim Keller on the Christian Life
One of my heroes of the faith who has deeply shaped my thoughts on the Christian life is Tim Keller. After witnessing some of Tim Keller’s ministry and teaching, I remember a specific moment as a seminary student sitting in a local coffee shop having an openness to pastoral ministry. Up until that point, I didn’t have much of an interest in being a pastor, but Keller’s example prompted thoughts of “Maybe pastoral ministry is something I would be willing to consider if the Lord was to lead that way.” I was drawn to the ordinary faithfulness of his ministry and his real and thoughtful teaching relating to the gospel. Since then, he has been a regular voice I’ve gone to, to understand the gospel more deeply, how it relates to our culture, and how it should transform my life. I’m sure many others in our church have been blessed by Keller in similar ways.
One of the books I’ve read this summer that I’ve been blessed by is Tim Keller on the Christian Life by Matt Smethurst. Since Keller’s passing a couple of years ago, the author took time to help summarize some of Keller’s influence on how the gospel relates to elements of everyday Christian living. He covers topics like reading the Bible, sin, grace, friendship, work, justice, prayer, and suffering. Each chapter helps unpack one of these timeless truths that Keller spent much of his life learning to live and communicate.
This book was encouraging to me, not because I have agreed with everything Tim Keller has ever taught on, but because it helped me meditate on how the good news of Jesus relates to our life in fresh ways. At the end of each chapter, I found myself feeling more amazed by the Lord and more passionate for how it should influence my walk with Him. If you are looking for a book to read or listen to that will help you consider how the gospel practically relates to you life, I’d recommend looking into this resource even if you only read a couple of the short chapters.
Jacob Abrahamson
Youth Pastor