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Why God Made Cities
Discussion of how cities fit in God's plan. Gives some biblical background for focusing church planting efforts on cities. Encourages planting churches in cities.
17 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Timothy J. Keller
396 books5,740 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Timothy Keller was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons. For over twenty years he has led a diverse congregation of young professionals that has grown to a weekly attendance of over 5,000.
He was also Chairman of Redeemer City to City, which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and publishes books and resources for faith in an urban culture. In over ten years they have helped to launch over 250 churches in 48 cities. More recently, Dr. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over 1 million copies and been translated into 15 languages.
Christianity Today has said, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”
Dr. Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served as the pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America.
Timothy Keller was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons. For over twenty years he has led a diverse congregation of young professionals that has grown to a weekly attendance of over 5,000.
He was also Chairman of Redeemer City to City, which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and publishes books and resources for faith in an urban culture. In over ten years they have helped to launch over 250 churches in 48 cities. More recently, Dr. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over 1 million copies and been translated into 15 languages.
Christianity Today has said, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”
Dr. Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served as the pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 1, 2020
“If you are in a city or community that is broken, where people are burned out or spiritually lost, where there is violence— stay as long as you can.”
tim keller doesn’t miss. quick book but a lot of cool ideas about what meaning a city has. god created these too!
tim keller doesn’t miss. quick book but a lot of cool ideas about what meaning a city has. god created these too!
May 8, 2018
Woe to thee, book, if I read thee whilst in a crabby disposition! Flawed premise.
May 3, 2019
Didn't expect such a short work to convict me so deeply of my cynicism. Classic Keller.
February 7, 2025
Great biblical vision for the church, church planting, and being an active member in a local church body.
September 10, 2025
An easy read about why God made cities and what is the purpose of a city.
August 12, 2013
A reworking of a sermon by Keller on how God views the city. "God invented the city." "If sin has twisted the city as it's twisted the family, and turned it into a place of pain and suffering just as it's done to the family, that doesn't mean we get rid of the city. We don't scoff at it or take pleasure in its troubles. We as Christians are called to redeem and rebuild the city." "Cities have always been merciful places for people who don't have power. In many ways they still are, and yet under the influence of sin, we know that cities today can also be places of violence, places without safety." "Paul preached in the cities because they were places where people were forced to admit that life is tough; that things are always in crisis; and that time is rushing on...the cities are the places where the media and education and cholarship and science andthe arts and business are all based. So as the city goes, that's how the society goes." Jeremiah 29:4-7
May 19, 2014
Excellent. Many will dispute Keller's premise, but it will not help you in the formation of a Gospel Movement. Disputing the thesis of the book will not help you love people to Christ, all the while maintaining the strong Christological distinctives. Reading this book will help more forward missionally. Read this book.
October 10, 2015
This is a very quick read, but pretty consistent with Keller's other works. Thoughtful, and useful for explaining why Redeemer is in a city, but nonetheless rather short.
July 7, 2021
Short but such a deep insight into this..Truly inspiring us to live with purpose in a city.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews