Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation

“Here is the story of a man possessed of unusual native gifts of analysis and synthesis, of the home and family life that has shaped him, of people both long dead and contemporary whose insights he has taken hold of in the interests of communicating the gospel, and also of the twists and turns of God's providence in his life. These pages may well have been titled Becoming Tim Keller. That 'becoming' has been neither a quick nor an easy road. But Collin Hansen's account of it will be as challenging to readers as it is instructive.”

“As a Tim Keller admirer I was eager to read this biography, and Collin Hansen did not disappoint. In his marvelously written narrative, we learn much about the people, experiences, and struggles that have shaped Tim's amazing ministry. I can add that I found this book inspiring--but with the awareness that saying so does not do justice to the profound ways it also spoke to my soul!”

“In our time, few Christian leaders have a vision of the faith that is as recognizable--and as globally influential--as Tim Keller. In this engaging book, Collin Hansen charts the fascinating range of figures whose writings and examples influenced that vision and guides the reader through a life spent exploring and distilling the best of the Christian tradition. By humanizing a towering figure, Hansen challenges his own audience to learn from the deliberateness that marks Keller's own journey in the faith. Quite simply, I could not put this book down.”

“Tim Keller has been an immensely wise mentor for many of us. This book is a rich account of the sources of his spiritual formation, of the people who helped lead him to them, and of the dynamics contributing to the successes of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.”

“Tim Keller's sermons and books have influenced me greatly, but I believe his curiosity has influenced me most. To now have insight into the people and places that cultivated his brilliance--a dramatic yet suitable word--feels like a gift I didn't know I needed.”

“Collin Hansen's informative study of Tim Keller explains how this traditional Calvinist became so effective as a minister in New York City despite that city's reputation for ignoring anything traditionally Christian. Especially important have been diverse influences that included well-known authors and preachers, but also lesser-known Bible teachers and pastoral exemplars as well as fellow Presbyterians who combined cultural, biblical, and pietistic emphases with the doctrinal. Under God, this mixture has not only worked, but also shown others the staying power, even in a hypermodern world, of what might be called soft-shell Calvinism.”