Over 2,000 people filled the pews of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan to bid a final farewell to a man whose special brand of writing, intellectual preaching, and speaking changed their lives. At the same time, thousands watched the streamed service online.
Dr. Timothy Keller was senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York for 28 years, a congregation he established in 1989. His goal was to change the city and bring the gospel to a metropolis that the rest of the world sees as a den of iniquity than a city ready for a revival. Still, Keller lived by the mantra that God loves cities because many of God’s image-bearers reside in cities, especially New York.
Every creed, color, shape, and size lives there. It’s a land ripe for planting seeds of faith. Keller’s teaching ministry helped nurture Redeemer into a church with a weekly attendance of over 5,000. Keller’s longtime friend, Glen Kleinknecht, said his specialty was “listening to people who were most opposed to his faith.” He transformed lives by hearing people’s wants and providing what they needed.
Keller died May 19 after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer at 72. He was buried within three days of death in St. Michael’s Cemetery near LaGuardia Airport, meaning that thousands of followers and church members never had the chance to come together and grieve their loss until the memorial service. The fact that Keller’s service was at one of the most known Catholic cathedrals in the world is a testament to his appeals to make the gospel central to his teachings.
Cardinal Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, greeted the Keller family and welcomed all who came to celebrate Keller’s life. Dolan called Dr. Keller “a man we love and admire.” None of those who gave their remembrances were bold-faced names; there were no celebrities or prominent politicians. Instead, there were just friends to whom Keller introduced the truth of Jesus.
Keller’s ability to tap into God’s silent sovereignty made him able to draw from other sources outside scripture. The memorial service program and several Bible verses also included quotes from 16th-century poet George Herbert, 19th-century evangelist Dwight L. Moody and Keller’s favorite, C.S. Lewis, the 20th-century British writer, scholar and Anglican theologian.
Keller’s brand of preaching and teaching taught thousands, if not millions, to make faith a personal relationship with Christ. Instead of treating religion like an accessory, Keller helped people understand that Jesus Christ was life itself, the authority under which all other love and like are molded. Author and pastor Sam Allberry gave the sermon detailing how Keller’s ability to serve resulted from his passion for Jesus. The tributes poured in, not about Keller’s accomplishments, but about “Tim’s character, as father, pastor and friend.”
Keller has died, but his influence continues to grow. His sermons are available for listening at Gospel in Life.com, and his books sell worldwide. Keller’s preaching is only the beginning. It’s a talisman, a countercultural movement against the idols of modernity.