The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

Timothy Keller (1950–2023) was a pivotal figure in contemporary evangelical theology. His prolific writings are cited for the intellectual depth and pastoral clarity with which he addressed modern cultural and spiritual concerns. As the co-author of The Meaning of Marriage, he draws from decades of theological study, pastoral experience, and urban ministry. Keller’s ideas ground abstract theological musings in lived reality—his own marriage, his ministry among skeptics and believers in secular urban settings, and his deep engagement with Scripture. His academic formation, cultural awareness, and commitment to Reformed theology converge to offer readers a view of marriage that is biblically faithful and culturally aware.

Keller was an undergraduate at Bucknell University, had theological training at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Westminster Theological Seminary. His early pastoral years in a small church in Hopewell, Virginia, honed his ability to connect deep theological concepts to everyday struggles. Later, his role as professor of practical theology at Westminster further developed his skill in bridging doctrinal truth with pastoral application. This dual experience—academic and pastoral—is woven throughout The Meaning of Marriage.

The most significant influence on Keller’s approach in the book comes from his ministry in Manhattan, New York, where he founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in 1989.