Digging Deeper: Tim Keller's Memorial Service

Kathy, David, and Jonathan Keller
Courtesy of City to City livestream

I've made no secret of my appreciation for the life and ministry of Tim Keller.  Folks at Celebration-Hardewryk have heard me say that he is my "Gospel Yoda."  If you want to see what life would look like if you were deeply shaped by the Gospel of God's Grace, you would do better looking at him - read his books, listen to his sermons, scour YouTube, whatever - than at me.

So it would be no surprise that I watched with interest as much of his recent - Wed, August 15, 2023 - memorial service as I had time for.  It was moving certainly, but even more, it was insightful.  Like everything else I ever saw Dr Keller do, he modeled Gospel-Centered Living - even from the grave in this instance!   Turned out that he planned the entire service months in advance of his death.

It would be easy - even natural - to watch the recorded service and see a moving memorial in a fairly formal setting.  Friends, there was SOOOOOOO much more that we could learn from in this service.  In an effort to let others benefit from that "more," I have gathered some resources and comments in hopes of mining the riches of the Gospel from this final memorial.

A Worship Service of Praise To God: In Gratitude for the Life and Service of Tim Keller

CLICK HERE for a link to the recorded service.  But first, consider the name.  This is a service about God and His work through His servant Tim.  And because it is long, here are some timed reference points of particular highlights.

• The Prelude begins about 7:00 into the video.
• Wife Kathy speaks at 52:00
• Homily by Sam Allberry - 1:10:00
• CLICK HERE to peruse or download the 28 page service program.

A Catholic Cardinal’s Appreciation of Pastor Tim Keller - I didn't recognize it while I watched, but I learned later that the memorial service was held in St Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.  A conservative Presbyterian is memoralized in the Cathedral connected with one of the officials who will help choose the next pope?!?  Friends, that is something unique and worth looking into, hence the article by that name.  CLICK HERE

Sam Allberry - Preaching - Listen to the "homily" and you will hear a marvelous, witty, insightful and compelling reflection on the gospel with a British accent, no less.  As a friend of Tim and his family - and a seasoned and gifted preacher - Sam was a natural choice to serve at that point.  But Sam himself has a story and ministry that I have followed and benefited from for years now.  CLICK HERE for a three-minute video that will connect you to that.  It is a compelling testimony and reflection on the Gospel, Same-Sex attraction and marriage that includes 6 links to additional helpful resources.

All About Jesus: Tim Keller’s Memorial Service is a walk-thru by TheGospelCoalition.com - an organization that Tim co-founded - similar to this post that gives helpful background into the service as well.  CLICK HERE

Finally, A Sad Memory And Gracious Response

As I watched a service set at St Patrick's Cathedral that included the preaching of Sam Allberry I couldn't help be be drawn back to an incident in 2017 that Tim was drawn in to.  It took some time and the Gospel that Tim lived before I could move beyond my own self-righteousness and anger, but as I watched how Tim conducted himself in the midst of this real-lfe and real-time situation, I was inspired and transformed - at least a bit.

To summarize, Tim was awarded the annual Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Witness by Princeton Semariy's Kuyper Center for Public Theology.  There followed protests and resistance from seminary students, alumni and various others because the denomination Tim is a part of does not ordain women or LGBTQ+ persons.  In closed door conversations that Tim was a part of, Princeton eventually "compromised" by withdrawing the prize, but continueing with Tim's lecture that is a usual part of the award.  Tim rejected grievance, virtue signaling and simply served with an insightful presentation for those who would listen.

His response in the midst of the circumstances was the lesson for me in all that.  

For Further Information on the "Princeton Incident" and Tim's Response:

• What I Learned From Our Seminary's Conflict About Hosting Tim Keller by M. Craig Barnes the President of Princeton Seminary at this time. - CLICK HERE
• Princeton Theological Seminary Reverses Decision To Honor Redeemer’s Tim Keller - From the Religion New Service - CLICK HERE
• Princeton Seminary Reforms Its Views on Honoring Tim Keller by Christianity Today - CLICK HERE