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 […]
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” -Isaiah 9: 2 Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 5 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering with the astute observation that we employ many ways to keep the world’s darkness […]
“The other gods were strong, but Thou was weak. They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne. But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak, And not a god has wounds but Thou alone.” – Edward Shillito, from “Jesus of the Scars” Today Timothy Keller concludes his presentation of three powerful themes of […]
Timothy Keller continues his presentation of three powerful themes of Christian teaching that give us a new frame of heart capable of facing adversity. Today the second theme is discussed. 2. The doctrine of the final judgment and the renewal of the world. Pastor Keller emphasizes that if one presumes that there is no Judgment […]
“At first a thing pleases or shocks me without my knowing the reason, and yet it shocks me for that reason which I only discover afterwards. . . . The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know.” -Blaise Pascal At the beginning of Chapter 5 (“The Challenge to Faith”) of Walking with God […]
“There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy . . .” -Hamlet As Timothy Keller notes at the end of Chapter 3 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection actually are at the heart of the Gospel message: “And now it is how […]