Let’s start with some confusion. The book under review here is called Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel (by Matt Smethurst).
This book is excellent, so there’s no confusion there. And it’s helpful whether you’re familiar with Keller’s ministry or not, so no confusion about that either. It’s clearly divided into distinct topic chapters–all good there as well! Overall, Tim Keller on the Christian Life is an excellent, useful, and devotional work that should absolutely be on your shelf.
Whence the confusions, then? In the title of course! This book is called Tim Keller on the Christian Life. And yet, it is unclear whether this book belongs in the “theologians on the Christian life” series or not (reviewed often on this blog). On the one hand, it is hardback (they are all paperback), has a different cover design (see picture for comparison), is about a pastor rather than a pure theologian (though of course there are several pastors in the series as well), and isn’t included on Amazon’s list of the books.
On the other hand, it has the same premise and structure as the books in the series, and of course has “[Name of theologian] on the Christian life” as its title. In other words, I am very confused Crossway!
Confusion aside, this book is excellent. Keller’s life and ministry are used to highlight his teaching, which in turn highlights the Gospel as the message of Scripture and the guide God has given us for our lives. Like the other books in this series (or like the stand-alone book it is, I guess), you will be well served to read it and absorb its lessons.
Dr. Coyle Neal is co-host of the City of Man Podcast an Amazon Associate (which is linked in this blog), and an Associate Professor of Political Science at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO
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