"Legalistic remorse says, "I broke God's rules," while real repentance says, "I broke God's heart.""
About Timothy Keller
Timothy Keller — Life and Legacy
Timothy Keller is a respected pastor, theologian, and author whose work has significantly impacted contemporary Christian thought. He is best known for his book 'The Reason for God,' where he addresses common doubts about faith and provides rational arguments for belief. Keller's core thinking revolves around the idea that faith and doubt coexist; he famously states, 'Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.' This perspective encourages individuals to embrace their uncertainties as a pathway to deeper understanding. Keller's quotes often reflect his belief that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a relational trust in God. He challenges the notion that faith should be devoid of questions, arguing instead that grappling with doubt can lead to a more profound commitment. His insights into the nature of faith, community, and suffering resonate with many, as he articulates the complexities of belief in a modern context. The relevance of Keller's work today lies in his ability to address the struggles of faith in a secular world. His quotes and teachings continue to inspire those navigating their spiritual journeys, providing a framework for understanding the interplay between belief and doubt.
Quote collection
Timothy Keller quotes (page 1 of 30)
581 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"God sees us as we are, loves us as we are, and accepts us as we are. But by His grace, He does not leave us as we are."
"The basic purpose of prayer is not to bend God's will to mine, but to mold my will into His."
"Jesus didn't come to tell us the answers to the questions of life, he came to be the answer."
"The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope."
"The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 AM for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access"
"Everyone says they want community and friendship. But mention accountability or commitment to people, and they run the other way."
"God looks at the anxious and says, I tore my Son to shreds for you, and you're afraid I will not give you what you need?"
"The Bible’s purpose is not so much to show you how to live a good life. The Bible’s purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into your life against your will and saves you from the sin and brokenness otherwise you would never be able to overcome… religion is ‘if you obey, then you will be accepted’. But the Gospel is, ‘if you are absolutely accepted, and sure you’re accepted, only then will you ever begin to obey’. Those are two utterly different things. Every page of the Bible shows the difference."
"When Jesus looked down from the cross, he didn't think “I am giving myself to you because you are so attractive to me.” No, he was in agony, and he looked down at us - denying him, abandoning him, and betraying him - and in the greatest act of love in history, he STAYED. He said, “Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing.” He loved us, not because we were lovely to him, but to make us lovely."
"There are some needs only you can see. There are some hands only you can hold. There are some people only you can reach."
"The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself nor less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less."
"If our identity is in our work, rather than Christ, success will go to our heads, and failure will go to our hearts."
"In religion, you obey because God is useful. In Christianity, you obey because God is beautiful."
"Christianity does not provide the reason for each experience of pain, but it does provide deep resources for actually facing suffering with hope and courage rather than bitterness and despair"
"We need to remember that we are saved by grace when we fail. But we need to remember it much more when we succeed."
"If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead."
"Jesus Christ was treated as we deserved so that when we believe in Jesus, God treats us as Jesus deserves."
"The basic premise of religion– that if you live a good life, things will go well for you– is wrong. Jesus was the most morally upright person who ever lived, yet He had a life filled with the experience of poverty, rejection, injustice, and even torture."
"After creation God said, 'It is finished'-and he rested. After redemption Jesus said, 'It is finished'-and we can rest."