Tim Keller didn’t show many signs of worrying about his legacy. But even before Keller died in 2023, church leaders debated that legacy, whether his kingdom contributions had been overall for good or ill.

This fall, I received an invitation from Peter Leithart and the Theopolis Institute to discuss that legacy with one of Keller’s most widely read critics. In promotion for the event, Theopolis described diverging views of Keller: “To many, he is a stalwart hero; to others, his effort to be winsome left him defenseless against the aggressive progressivism of the early twenty-first century.”

In my opening remarks for the two-hour event, I emphasized how Keller urged the rising generation to remain steadfast in defending the historic, biblical gospel while also developing new strategies for Christian ministry amid spreading secularism. Keller didn’t believe that in his lifetime he had solved the problem of how to foster spiritual revival in the post-Christendom West. He called for an urgent, unified effort—humble, thoughtful, and prayerful—to learn the conditions of secularism and how they might become more favorable to saving faith.

He left us to debate what ministry priorities and methods would best meet that growing challenge. As you listen and watch, ask God and consider what role you can play in sharing the truth, goodness, and beauty of the gospel.

Editors’ note: If you’re interested in developing your writing skills, join me and the rest of TGC’s editorial team for our next TGC Writers’ Cohort, February 25 to April 15, 2026 (8 weekly sessions). Learn more.