Timothy Keller American Presbyterian theologian, pastor and Christian apologist Date of Birth: 23.09.1950 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Conversion and Ministry
3. Redeemer Presbyterian Church
4. Literary Career
5. Personal Life
6. Legacy
7. Hope for New York and Redeemer City to City
8. Retirement and Focus on Evangelism

Early Life and Education

Tim Keller was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He earned a B.A. from Bucknell University (1972), an M. Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (1975), and a D.Min. from Westminster Theological Seminary (1981) under the guidance of Dr. Harvie Conn.

Conversion and Ministry

Keller became a Christian while attending Bucknell University, influenced by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where he later served as a staff member. He was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and served as pastor at West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia for nine years, concurrently serving as the PCA's director of church planting. He also taught at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife, Kathy, were involved in urban ministry.

Redeemer Presbyterian Church

In 1989, Keller was recruited by his denomination to start Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, despite his relative lack of experience. Today, the church has a weekly attendance of over 5,000.

Literary Career

In 2008, Keller published "Reason for God," his first book in 20 years. The book, based on common objections to Christianity he had encountered in his New York ministry, became a New York Times bestseller.

Personal Life

Keller resided on Roosevelt Island in New York with his wife, Kathy. They had three sons: David, Michael, and Jonathan. In 2020, Keller disclosed he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 73.

Legacy

Keller has been described as the "C.S. Lewis of the 21st century." He frequently drew upon secular or academic sources, such as The New York Times, and was described in the media as an anomaly: a pastor who appealed to Manhattan yuppies and intellectuals.

Hope for New York and Redeemer City to City

Redeemer Presbyterian Church founded Hope for New York, a non-profit that sends volunteers and grants to over 40 faith-based ministries addressing social needs in New York. Keller also co-founded Redeemer City to City, an organization that trains and funds pastors in New York and other cities.

Retirement and Focus on Evangelism

In 2017, Keller stepped down as senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church. This move was part of a broader vision to shift his efforts from preaching to teaching the next generation of church leaders and planting new churches in global cities through Redeemer City to City.