My Tribute To Tim Keller
Tim Keller, author and pastor, died on Friday at age 72—three years after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Tim Keller is well known for many things, but for me, I remember finding his book The Reason for God when I was going through a very hard season of doubt in my high school years. I could not understand how Christianity worked, I did not understand salvation. Doubts consumed me, add on that I felt guilt about my doubts. “Should I wrestle so much with wondering if God is real? Do these doubts mean something? Am I just broken?”
Along comes Keller’s book. I read one afternoon:
A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it. People who blithely go through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic. A person's faith can collapse almost overnight if she has failed over the years to listen patiently to her own doubts, which should only be discarded after long reflection. Believers should acknowledge and wrestle with doubts — not only their own but their friends' and neighbors'. It is no longer sufficient to hold beliefs just because you inherited them. Only if you struggle long and hard with objections to your faith will you be able to provide the grounds for your beliefs to skeptics, including yourself, that are plausible rather than ridiculous or offensive. And, just as important for our current situation, such a process will lead you, even after you come to a position of strong faith, to respect and understand those who doubt.”
-The Reason for God
I was changed. Tim Keller taught me that struggling “long and hard” with my doubts was actually a good thing. A healthy thing.
Fast forward years later, feeling very condemned over sin one evening, I came across another quote by Tim Keller:
“We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
-The Meaning of Marriage
Tim Keller had a way of thinking, preaching, and writing that connected with your lived experience. My hunch is he had this ability because he fought long and hard with his own doubts. Because he was utterly real with himself and his faith. I hope to emulate that in my own ways, although I will never be as intellectual or bright as Tim Keller.
Now, he fights no longer. His race has been run, may we learn from his life and continue the work he loved to do. Helping others know God and the Gospel more and more.
If you have never listened to Tim’s preaching or read his books, I could only encourage you to do so. The Lord has met me often through his work. May he meet you too through them.
Tim Kellers life has shaped my life for the better.
