Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation

Timothy Keller takes readers behind the scenes to meet the people and understand the events that formed Keller's spiritual life and ministry priorities.

Millions have read books and listened to sermons by Timothy Keller. But which people and what events shaped his own thinking and spiritual growth? With unfettered access to Keller's personal notes and sermons--as well as exclusive interviews with family members and longtime friends--Collin Hansen gives you unprecedented understanding of one of the 21st century's most influential church leaders.

Spend any time around Timothy Keller and you'll learn what he's reading, what he's learning, what he's seeing. The story of Timothy Keller is the story of his spiritual and intellectual influences, from the woman who taught him how to read the Bible to the professor who taught him to preach Jesus from every text to the philosopher who taught him to see beneath society's surface.

For the first time, Hansen introduces readers to Keller's early years: the home where he learned to tell stories from the trees, the church where he learned to care for souls, and the city that lifted him to the international fame he never wanted.

You'll discover how to:

• Understand the principles and practices that allowed Keller to synthesize so many different influences in a coherent ministry.
• Take the best of Keller's preaching and teaching to meet emerging challenges in the 21st century.
• Develop your own historical, theological, and cultural perspectives to shape your leadership.

This is the untold story of the people, the books, the lectures, and ultimately the God who formed and shaped the life of Timothy Keller.

ISBN-13: 9780310128687

Media Type: Hardcover

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: 02-07-2023

Pages: 320

Product Dimensions: 5.60(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)

Collin Hansen serves as vice president of content and editor in chief for The Gospel Coalition. He hosts the Gospelbound podcast and has written and edited many books. He earned an MDiv at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and an undergraduate degree in journalism and history from Northwestern University. He is an adjunct professor of apologetics and co-chair of the advisory board at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Part 1 Honest to God (1950 to 1972)

1 Mom Competition Allentown, Pennsylvania 3

2 The Absurd Man Bucknell University 11

3 The Woman Who Taught Him to Study the Bible InterVarsity Christian Fellowship 29

4 Kathy the Valiant Kathy Kristy 41

5 True Myth The Inklings 52

6 Doubters Welcome R. C. Sproul and Ligonier Valley Study Center 59

Part 2 Professors and Peers (1972 to 1975)

7 Theological Smorgasbord Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary 69

8 Table Talk Elisabeth Elliot and the Robins 75

9 Disagree without Being Disagreeable Roger Nicole and Neo-Calvinism 88

10 Pneumodynamics Richard Lovelace and Jonathan Edwards 93

Part 3 Trial by Fire (1975 to 1989)

11 Chemical Capital of the South Hopewell, Virginia 107

12 Unfolding Drama Edmund P. Clowney 128

13 "Moulded by the Gospel" Westminster Theological Seminary 147

Part 4 From Gotham to Globe (1989 to Present)

14 Masters of the Universe New York City 179

15 Land of Yes Redeemer Presbyterian Church 196

16 Everybody Worships September 11 and The Reason for God 221

17 Making Sense of God Dogwood Fellowship 237

18 Rings on a Tree Conclusion 263

Epilogue 267

Postscript 269

Acknowledgments 271

Index 273

Notes 283