In Chapter 9 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller describes four ways God uses our suffering to remove our weaknesses and build us up. The first two ways are discussed today. 1. Suffering transforms our attitude toward ourselves. Adversity humbles us, removing our pride and unrealistic self-regard. Because we tend to […]
“We do not receive wisdom, we just discover it for ourselves, after a journey through the wilderness which no one can make for us, which no one can spare us.”-Marcel Proust In Chapter 9 (“Learning to Walk”) of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller reminds us of a concept he presented in […]
Timothy Keller discusses Elisabeth Eliot’s novel No Graven Image in Chapter 8 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering. Elisabeth’s novel is based on an actual event that occurred in her first years as a Bible translator in South America, when a man who spoke Spanish as well as the local language with equal […]
“How good it is to sing praises to our Lord, how pleasant and fitting to praise him.” -Psalm 147:1 In Chapter 8 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller states that since the ultimate purpose of life is to glorify God, “that means that the first- but perhaps hardest to grasp- purpose […]
Timothy Keller begins Chapter 8 (“The Reason for Suffering”) of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering with the assertion that suffering is at the heart of the Christian faith. Suffering is the way Christ became like us and redeemed us, but it is also one of the essential ways we become like Christ and […]
As Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 7 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, he reflects on how the book of Revelation addresses suffering and evil. Pastor Keller states that the Bible doesn’t merely tell us that evil is punished- although that is an important fact. In our world we can punish evil, but we […]
Timothy Keller extends his discussion of Jesus as the suffering sovereign in Chapter 7 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering. The author notes that these two truths complement, rather than contradict, each other. He cites Ronald Rittgers from his book Reformation of Suffering: “The God who has no causal relationship to suffering is […]
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s suffering, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” -1 Peter4:12-13 In Chapter 7 (“The Suffering of God”) […]
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. -Proverbs 16:9 As Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 6 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, he states that the author of Proverbs (Solomon) is saying that while we make our plans, they only fit into the greater plans of God. Pastor […]
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” – Ephesians 1:11 Discussing the second pair of balancing truths in Chapter 6 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller states that unless we know […]
“For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, we share abundantly in comfort too.” -2 Corinthians 1: 6 In Chapter 6 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller offers additional reflection on the Biblical teaching that suffering is both just and unjust. Since part of reality is that God justly has imposed […]
“Everything difficult indicates something more than our theory of life yet embraces.” -George MacDonald As Timothy Keller begins Chapter 6 (“The Sovereignty of God”) of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, he sees two foundational balances in the Bible’s picture of suffering: 1. Suffering is both just and unjust. 2. God is both a […]