4 Books that Influenced Tim Keller in College

Tim Keller (@timkellernyc) recently tweeted several important basic Christian books that formed him as a college student. While I’m sure this isn’t his comprehensive list, it provides helpful recommendations for spiritual formation.

1. Basic Christianity (IVP Classics) by John Stott

Keller: “I read ‘Basic Christianity’ by John Stott when I was [in college]. It’s short, but sweet.”

2. The Universe Next Door: The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog by James W. Sire

Keller: “This book helped list many of the ‘isms’ I encountered in college and the world. I highly recommend it still.”

3. The C. S. Lewis Signature Classics (8-Volume Box Set)

Keller: “C.S. Lewis was important to my development in college. Many books in this link deeply affected my Christian views.”

Related anecdote from Keller’s The Meaning of Marriage: “Some years ago, a man who regularly listened to my preaching made a shrewd observation. He said, ‘When you are well prepared for your sermon, you cite a great variety of sources, but when you aren’t well prepared, you just quote C. S. Lewis.'”

4. The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

Keller: “While there were many other books that helped me in college, the last one I’m going to highlight is by A.W. Tozer.”

(Shout-out to @DailyKeller for the great photo of a young Tim Keller.)

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Kevin

I serve with Unlocking the Bible. I blog for the glory of God, to nourish the church, and to clarify my mind. A lover of Christ first, people second, and random things like coffee, books, baseball, and road trips. I wrote When Prayer Is Struggle. Soli Deo Gloria