On occasion, I used to play a little academic mind game with some of my advanced history and political science students. I asked them to choose three people from history to invite to dinner. They would explain why they chose those three people and then to consider the nature of the conversation. Of course, although I did not share my own choices with them, I have considered my lists.

Along those lines, I sometimes make a quip about my hope to be invited to a particular heavenly lunch in the next life. As intimidating as this one lunch would be, I’d be seated at a table with C.S. Lewis, Dallas Willard, and Tim Keller. Of course, as it would be in the next life, presumably I wouldn’t be extremely intimidated. While I have learned so much from wise men and women, these three stand out especially.

C.S Lewis is considered by some to have been the most influential Christian in the 20th century. While a brilliant man and gifted scholar, he also made seemingly complex theories available to common people. His famous Narnia series used allegory to touch both children and adults. I have read the seven books in this series three times. His Mere Christianity is arguably the best rationale why the Christian faith makes sense. As an aside, he had an impish quality and regularly met in pubs to smoke a pipe, have a drink and share ideas with a small group of men, including his good friend J.R. Tolkien of Lord of the Rings fame. I have maybe seven or eight Lewis books on my shelf and I can’t read a lot these days without finding reference to one or more of them.

Dallas Willard is more difficult to explain. While not as widely known as C.S. Lewis, he still had an enormous impact on Christianity in the latter part of the 20th century and early part of the 21st. Like Lewis, he was a gifted academic and some of his specialized work is best appreciated by the serious student or professional. However, I have listened to hours of his lectures and read a number of his books. I will say that his magnum opus (masterpiece), The Divine Conspiracy, is the most profound book I’ve ever read. When I first tried this very lengthy book, I couldn’t manage it. It wasn’t the writing that was difficult. It was that seemingly every paragraph contained such depth that I had a tough time absorbing it. When, six months or so later, I picked it up again, it felt almost as light as air. The truths just washed over me to the point I would even laugh at the beauty of it all. (Diane would hear me laughing, with some curiosity.)  No single book has had such an impact which is a lot for me to say because I’d have no trouble coming up with a top ten list! He died of cancer not that long ago but not before I was able to hear him speak on a visit to San Diego, for which I am immensely grateful.

Then, there’s Tim Keller. I hope he doesn’t die soon. Keller has been frequently described as a contemporary C.S. Lewis. For obvious reasons. I could read and listen to Keller forever. He thinks and speaks clearly, is humble with a sense of humor, and can draw from such an immense reservoir of knowledge and wisdom that I am just amazed. He can take the common and make it profound. He sees with such vividness where I may only glimpse bits and pieces. Like Lewis, his mission is to live in current culture and to try to communicate Christian truths to both believer and skeptic, honoring both. I would love to just have an hour or two of his time. He has written many wonderful books. The Prodigal God is perhaps the best depiction of the character of God I know.

While Keller has written and spoken widely, two of his more recent works collectively are in the same vein as Mere Christianity, just updated for contemporary audiences, most of whom have no idea who C.S. Lewis was. They are the first-published, The Reason for God, and the more recently published prequel, Making Sense of God.

Which brings me to the main reason for this post. I recently read that Keller had spoken on two separate occasions to audiences at the Google headquarters. I was heartened to hear that Google regularly brings in speakers that represent a wide array of viewpoints on any number of topics … making those speakers available to Google employees. I found it fascinating that Keller spoke on Christianity in the heart of Silicon Valley (coincidentally exactly where I grew up) which is known for its intense secularism. I found it even more fascinating on how he was received.

Whether you are a Christian or someone who is searching, perhaps you’d find the time to watch one or both of these. Thank you for listening. Brad