

Kathy Keller (Co-author of The Meaning of Marriage)
Nov 20, 2024
Kathy Keller, the wife of the late Tim Keller and a co-author of influential texts like 'The Meaning of Marriage,' discusses the critical role Christian professionals play in shaping faith. She delves into the paradox that sometimes happiness can hinder spiritual growth. The conversation also touches on navigating personal relationships and prioritizing love for God. Kathy reflects on confronting mortality, the importance of legacy, and how integrating faith into daily work life can lead to a deeper sense of purpose.
31:17
Recommended Reading Order
- Start with "Prodigal God" to grasp Tim Keller's core gospel message.
- Then explore other books based on interest, such as prayer or apologetics.
Broad Applicability of Keller's Works
- Tim Keller's books address those in the secular world.
- His works apply to various professions and life situations.
City to City DNA Resource
- Explore City2City.com's DNA section for Tim Keller's insightful papers.
- Watch his short video explanations for deeper understanding.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Faith, Reflection, and Essential Readings
04:28 • 7min
Balancing Love for God and Earthly Relationships
11:30 • 3min
Faith, Role Models, and True Happiness
14:22 • 7min
Facing Mortality: Reflections on Life and Legacy
21:30 • 11min
Integrating Faith and Work: Glorifying God in Daily Life
32:37 • 3min

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness
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David Foster Wallace
In "The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness," Timothy Keller delves into the concept of pride and its destructive effects on human life. Keller argues that pride is not merely a moral failing but a fundamental distortion of our relationship with God and others. He explores how pride leads to self-centeredness, isolation, and a lack of genuine joy. The book offers a compelling case for the transformative power of humility and self-forgetfulness, suggesting that true freedom comes from surrendering our ego and embracing a life of service. Keller's insights are rooted in both theological and psychological perspectives, providing a comprehensive understanding of pride's impact on our lives.

The Cross of Christ
John R.W. Stott
Alister E. McGrath
In *The Cross of Christ*, John Stott provides a compelling and accessible examination of the cross's centrality in Christian faith, exploring its role in redemption and its relevance to contemporary issues. The book is complemented by a foreword from Alister McGrath in the centennial edition, highlighting its enduring impact on Christian thought.
Letters of John Newton
Letters of John Newton
John Newton

On Death
Timothy Keller
On Birth
On Birth
Timothy Keller

The meaning of marriage
Herbert Doms
In 'The Meaning of Marriage', Herbert Doms delves into the theological and philosophical underpinnings of marriage, discussing its primary and secondary ends. The book emphasizes the procreation and education of children as the primary end of marriage, while also addressing the mutual help and support between spouses as a secondary end. Doms' work is rooted in traditional Catholic teachings and explores the implications of these teachings on marital relationships and sexual ethics[2][3][5].

Go Forward in Love
A Year of Daily Readings from Timothy Keller
Timothy Keller
This book is a 365-day reader that compiles daily readings from Timothy Keller's most popular works, including *The Reason for God*, *The Prodigal God*, *Walking with God through Pain and Suffering*, and *The Meaning of Marriage*. It covers topics such as prayer, forgiveness, loving our neighbors, the importance of work, and the hope of the resurrection. Each day's reading is designed to lead readers into deep reflection, fostering a fresh sense of awe and wonder before God and encouraging them to go forward in love as willing servants of God and everyone around them.
Five Mere Christians
Five Mere Christians
Jordan Raynor

Counterfeit Gods
The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
Timothy Keller
In 'Counterfeit Gods,' Timothy Keller identifies and examines specific idols that rule over individual people and nations. He argues that many good things, such as money, sex, power, and success, can become 'ultimate' and thus idols when they are elevated above God. Keller uses biblical stories, contemporary examples, and personal experiences to illustrate how these idols function and how they can be replaced with true, biblical, and spiritual worship. The book emphasizes the need to root out these idols and cling to the one hope worth having, our faith in the work of Jesus Christ.

The Valley of Vision
A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
Arthur Bennett
The Valley of Vision is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions compiled by Arthur Bennett. It features a range of prayers that reflect the deep spiritual insights and theological richness of the Puritan tradition, offering readers a resource for personal devotion and spiritual growth.

The Practice of the Presence of God
Brother Lawrence (Nicolas Herman)
This book is a collection of Brother Lawrence's teachings, including his conversations and letters, which emphasize the importance of maintaining a constant awareness of God's presence. Brother Lawrence learned to find God in all his daily tasks, whether he was working in the kitchen or repairing sandals. He advocated for a simple and direct approach to living in God's presence, stressing that all work can be done as an act of love for God. The book includes his maxims and letters that provide practical advice on how to advance in the spiritual life and maintain a deep sense of God's presence in all activities.

Making Sense of God
An Invitation to the Skeptical
Timothy Keller
In 'Making Sense of God,' Timothy Keller addresses skeptics of Christianity, arguing that the faith is more relevant and logically consistent than often perceived. The book is divided into three parts: 'Why Does Anyone Need Religion?', 'Religion Is More Than You Think It Is', and 'Christianity Makes Sense.' Keller compares and contrasts religious and secular beliefs, examining their emotional, cultural, and rational implications. He discusses topics such as meaning, satisfaction, freedom, identity, justice, and hope, showing how Christianity provides rich resources to address these fundamental human needs. The book is written to engage both skeptics and believers, encouraging honest consideration of the Christian worldview[1][2][4].

The prodigal God
recovering the heart of the Christian faith
Timothy Keller
In 'The Prodigal God', Timothy Keller delves into the parable of the Prodigal Son to uncover the heart of the Christian gospel. He argues that the parable is not just about the wayward younger son, but also about the moralistic elder son and the Father's lavish love for both. Keller redefines key concepts such as sin, lostness, and hope, showing that both the irreligious and the moralistic are spiritually lost but equally loved by God. The book challenges readers to see Christianity in a new light, emphasizing the gospel's message of hope and salvation for all people[2][4][5].

Every Good Endeavor
Connecting Your Work to God's Work
Timothy Keller
In 'Every Good Endeavor,' Timothy Keller explores the biblical perspectives on work, addressing questions such as the purpose of work, finding meaning in a competitive workplace, and staying true to one's values while advancing in a career. The book is divided into three parts: God's plan for work, our problems with work, and the Gospel and work. Keller emphasizes that work is a gift from God and should be approached with excellence, integrity, discipline, creativity, and passion as acts of worship. He also highlights the importance of understanding work through a Christian worldview, which can provide a foundation for a thriving professional and balanced personal life.

Preaching
Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism
Timothy Keller
In this book, Timothy Keller argues for the importance of expository, Christ-centered, and culturally pointed preaching. He divides the material into three parts: 'Serving the Word,' which emphasizes preaching the Bible and the gospel; 'Reaching the People,' which discusses contextualizing messages for the audience; and 'In Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power,' which focuses on the character of the preacher. Keller stresses the need to adapt to the culture while confronting its distortions, and he provides practical guidance on constructing expository messages and engaging with the late modern mind[1][2][3].
The significant role Christian professionals played in making Christianity credible to her sons, why sometimes “the worst thing God can do for you is to let you be happy,” and how to die wishing you had spent more time at the office.
Links Mentioned:
- Kathy Keller
- The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God
- Roosevelt Island
- Go Forward in Love: A Year of Daily Readings from Timothy Keller
- Books by Timothy Keller
- Letters of John Newton
- The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
- The Cross of Christ
- City to City DNA
- Dr. Francis Collins
- Dr. Steven Rosenberg
- John Newton
- John Stott
- John Owen
- Jordan Raynor