9 Tim Keller Quotes
Tim Keller (1950-2023) was one of the most influential preachers and Christian leaders of our generation. He was most known for his books & sermons on Christian apologetics, Christian marriage, the Gospel narrative throughout Scripture. He wasn't only known for books and sermons, but maybe most admirably, for the multitudes of pastors & church planters that he graciously trained and sent out (some of whom were planting within minutes of his own church).
I personally found his teachings in a time when Scripture didn’t make sense to me, and God used Keller’s teachings to make the puzzle pieces come together. While I could go on and on about his life and ministry, I’ll leave you with 9 of his quotes that are so good, you should have to pay to read them.
The Gospel & the love of God
“The gospel is that I am so sinful that Jesus had to die for me, yet so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. I can’t feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone.”
“The gospel says you are simultaneously more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted than you ever dared hope.”
“When Jesus Christ was in the garden of Gethsemane and the ultimate darkness was coming down on him and he knew it was coming, he didn’t abandon you; he died for you. If Jesus Christ didn’t abandon you in his darkness, the ultimate darkness, why would he abandon you now, in yours?”
Being changed & moved by the love of God
“To say ‘I know God forgives me, but I can’t forgive myself’ means you’ve failed an idol whose approval is more important than God’s.”
“It is hard to stay angry at someone if you are praying for them. It is also hard to stay angry unless you feel superior, and it is hard to feel superior if you are praying for them, since in prayer you approach God as a forgiven sinner.”
“If you wait until your motives are pure and unselfish before you do something, you will wait forever.”
Relationships pointing to the love of God
“Friends become wiser together through a healthy clash of viewpoints.”
“To be loved but not known is superficial. To be known and not loved is our great fear—but to be known and loved, that transforms you.”
“What marriage is for: It is a way for two spiritual friends to help each other on their journey to become the persons God designed them to be.”
I personally found his teachings in a time when Scripture didn’t make sense to me, and God used Keller’s teachings to make the puzzle pieces come together. While I could go on and on about his life and ministry, I’ll leave you with 9 of his quotes that are so good, you should have to pay to read them.
The Gospel & the love of God
“The gospel is that I am so sinful that Jesus had to die for me, yet so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. I can’t feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone.”
“The gospel says you are simultaneously more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted than you ever dared hope.”
“When Jesus Christ was in the garden of Gethsemane and the ultimate darkness was coming down on him and he knew it was coming, he didn’t abandon you; he died for you. If Jesus Christ didn’t abandon you in his darkness, the ultimate darkness, why would he abandon you now, in yours?”
Being changed & moved by the love of God
“To say ‘I know God forgives me, but I can’t forgive myself’ means you’ve failed an idol whose approval is more important than God’s.”
“It is hard to stay angry at someone if you are praying for them. It is also hard to stay angry unless you feel superior, and it is hard to feel superior if you are praying for them, since in prayer you approach God as a forgiven sinner.”
“If you wait until your motives are pure and unselfish before you do something, you will wait forever.”
Relationships pointing to the love of God
“Friends become wiser together through a healthy clash of viewpoints.”
“To be loved but not known is superficial. To be known and not loved is our great fear—but to be known and loved, that transforms you.”
“What marriage is for: It is a way for two spiritual friends to help each other on their journey to become the persons God designed them to be.”
Mitch Pinion
Director of Content & Storytelling
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