Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor and bestselling author, dies at 72
Keller remains famous for his urban Christian ministry
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
Pastor and author Timothy Keller died on May 19 at of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 72.
Keller founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, which now has five campuses across the city and a wide ministry beyond. He was also the author of several bestselling books like “The Reason for God” and “The Prodigal God.”
He first announced his cancer diagnosis in June 2020 and had been receiving treatments since that time.
ReligionUnplugged intern Rafa Oliveira encapsulates Keller’s legacy and life’s work in today’s top story. Let us know what Keller meant to you on Substack or on our website!
Pastor And Bestselling Author Dr. Timothy Keller Dies At Age 72
Once a seminary professor, Pastor Tim Keller planted Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City in the early 1990s and ministered to the, arguably, unchurched elite of Manhattan in New York City. In rented auditoriums, Keller preached in professorial style to thousands of young professionals and families. by Rafa Oliveira
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➗ Who’s In? Who’s Out? The Latest On The Baptist And Methodist Doctrinal Divides 🔌
In this week’s Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. highlights the ongoing battles over who’s in — and who’s out — among Southern Baptists and United Methodists. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Don’t forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobby’s column directly in your inbox on Friday mornings!
Thanks again for reading!
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Keller made a fundamental human error: he believed that he knew the will of God and other people don't. He thought he knew how God wanted everyone to live. When confronted by the reality that people don't all live that way, Keller failed to change his way of thinking. Instead, he condemned people. He said, "Violating God's will for sexuality, as it is written in the Scripture will de-humanize you." (Tweet of April 2, 2021 from @timkellernyc.) "De-humanize." We are all humans. When his belief in God led him to deny the humanity of our fellow humans, to de-humanize them, he took a wrong turn. If you prefer a Christian phrase, "If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:23.) Let's not forget that Keller made darkness out of light in this instance.