My Complicated Feelings About Tim Keller

One of modern Christianity’s most influential theologians and pastors passed this week

Tim Keller, one of American Christianity’s giants, passed away this week at age 72.

As some of you may know, I somewhat improbably spent years in the evangelical fold starting in 2005 following the sudden death of my father at age 61 and the passing of my beloved grandmother the year after. It’s hard to imagine that I would have headed down this road but for Tim Keller.

I entered Tim’s church, Redeemer Presbyterian, as a fairly committed atheist. I had long ago dispatched with my Episcopalian upbringing and other than the boyfriend who brought me to church, there were very few religious people in my Manhattan friend group, which consisted primarily of people working in or dedicated to Democratic politics.

Sunday was for brunch, not church.

A year later, I was all in with Christianity. And not just any Christianity — I had signed up for Tim Keller’s brand of evangelical Chris…