Trusting God in Difficult Times - Psalm 11 Meditation by Tim Keller

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  • čas přidán 7. 04. 2020
  • Today we’re starting a special series of meditations by Tim Keller - "Trusting God in Difficult Times." This new series is meant to encourage you to trust God more deeply and to meditate on his word and what it promises, to give you strength and hope in difficult times. After the meditation, Tim will be joined by Kathy Keller for a short Q&A.
    These meditations are brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed this meditation and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting gospelinlife.com/youtube and making a one-time or recurring donation.

Komentáře • 142

  • @gospelinlife
    @gospelinlife  Před 4 lety +115

    In the weeks ahead we're planning to release two of these per week, so be sure to subscribe to our CZcams channel so that you get them right when they're released.

    • @r.1021
      @r.1021 Před 4 lety +3

      Thank you! I am thankful and blessed to listen Gospel through your ministry.

    • @davidhughes637
      @davidhughes637 Před 4 lety +3

      Thanks Tim I really found that meditation helpful particular at this time. Your teaching over the years has been a big part of my growth. Your book 'Counterfeit God's opened my eyes to the richness and depth of God's word at a difficult time in my life.

    • @stevedavis6166
      @stevedavis6166 Před 4 lety +2

      Thank you Kathy for your contribution and being the person who keeps some important but common questions before us. Good answers.

    • @Older_Mountain-goat_1984
      @Older_Mountain-goat_1984 Před 4 lety +1

      I take it this video is in response to the corona virus situation.
      If so, I think it would be hard for any rational person to trust God during this difficult time, seeing as he, as is clearly stated in the bible, also created the virus that has killed many.

    • @Older_Mountain-goat_1984
      @Older_Mountain-goat_1984 Před 4 lety +1

      @@zach2980 Agreed. I was a born-again christian for 20 years my 20-40s ( another aspect of how irrational christianity is, is one has to define what version of christinity one has aligned with)
      It was my natural state of being to delve deep into matters that fascinated me ( christianity was my first venture into the metaphysical aspects of reality), then eventually led me to conclude how absurd the claims were, thus I fully deconverted one spring afternoon, fully removing all emotional and mental attachment to the claims; only retaining the wisdom of Jesus and some of the apostle's thoughts and the written accounts of their actions and attitudes regarding love.
      And yes, so far, Influenza has killed more folks world wide each year that the latest in a long line of health scares.
      The most telling thing I noticed in the bible that convinced me the religion is man-made and created to control folks is:
      - the new testament, to me, the main focus of Jesus' teaching is love, unconditional love towards each other, and how he lived his life as a living example of this love; yet it's written that he and god are one and the same.
      - the old testament has very little, if any examples of love coming from god. Instead, I see a severely messed up individual who has no problem with genocide, overriding the so called god-given Free Will of man and actually taking control of individuals and making them do things they normally wouldn't; doing deals with satan, and actually giving him the go ahead to inflict suffering in specific people...etc
      After 20 years of my own deep study of the whole bible, I saw no resemblance between the loving Jesus and the psychopath "love me or you'll greatly suffer" god of the old testament.
      I think if you just stick to the new testament and mindlessly soak up whatever superficial biased "I'm so relieved god loves us" propaganda is said from the pulpits, you'll remain convinced christianity is the absolute truth containing no errors or contradictions.
      But only when I began to read and study the bible for myself, and coming across gems like when OT god said, 'Everything in creation is my doing; and I made evil too", then one has be honest with oneself and muster up the courage to revaluate one's association with any faith based belief system.
      The 2nd most telling thing I learnt is one's spider senses should ring loud and clear whenever someone says their philosophy is a 'faith based belief system'; for that instantly states they have zero proof of any claims set forth in it, and this is also usually accompanied by advocating believing instead of thinking.

  • @abigailtshabalala9131
    @abigailtshabalala9131 Před 21 dnem

    Glory to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I'm blessed and highly favored by God's grace.
    Im grateful for your teaching. Amen Amen Hallelujah

  • @tehsamjones
    @tehsamjones Před rokem +13

    Rest in peace and rise in glory brother Keller

  • @eponymoususer8923
    @eponymoususer8923 Před 2 lety +28

    It looks like pain and suffering are part of the plan. They’re not necessarily bad things. They can be meaningful and are always transformative. A person cannot return to the same life in the same way after suffering. Muscles do not grow without pain. People do not change without pain. Growth and change are necessary and good, maybe more so at times than comfort or peace. That is my humble opinion that allows me to suffer without devaluing God’s love. I hope it helps someone else.

    • @michaelbrickley2443
      @michaelbrickley2443 Před 6 měsíci +1

      No one ever sees the good in suffering until it has past. At least, that has been my experience.

    • @user-qj2vf7iz5m
      @user-qj2vf7iz5m Před 2 měsíci

      It helps me,thank you.According to my experiences, suffering did make me grow and become a better person.I'm facing mountains right now,but I believe God has his plans and I trust him with all my heart!

  • @mindyvaughn8217
    @mindyvaughn8217 Před 4 lety +66

    Let me say that I have been a Christian for 43 years and I really needed to hear this. I have been struggling for years with pain and now the Pandemic on top of it in addition to my Anxiety disorder. This has almost put me over the top. And let me say that sometimes when you have been suffering a long time you need both explanations. The Philosophical explanation has helped me a lot for some reason. Thank you, Thank you. God Bless you both. I’m so grateful for people who are smarter than me.💖

    • @elena19044
      @elena19044 Před 4 lety +1

      I hope this day finds you feeling better.... I too am grateful for people smarter than me... Tim Keller is a genius !

    • @rebanelson607
      @rebanelson607 Před 3 lety +1

      Mindy, I identify closely with your comment. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" and was wounded like us. Surely, God is love. You are in my prayers.

    • @mindyvaughn8217
      @mindyvaughn8217 Před 3 lety +1

      @@rebanelson607 Thank You Reba.💖

    • @guest11111000000
      @guest11111000000 Před 3 lety

      God bless you Mindy. I too have been wrestling with God about with something for over a decade and the pandemic hasn't made it easy so I understand.

  • @mrsmaried
    @mrsmaried Před 4 lety +58

    “Jesus of the Scars” by Edward Shillito
    If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;
    Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
    We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow,
    We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.
    The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
    In all the universe we have no place.
    Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
    Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.
    If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,
    Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;
    We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,
    Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign.
    The other gods were strong; but Thou wast 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.
    beautiful...

  • @user-wi1hx7dw1s
    @user-wi1hx7dw1s Před 8 měsíci +3

    I came to both of these conclusions myself when I lost my twin boys and my oldest son two year before that. I thought God hated me and so I was struggling to even like him...until I realized 1 Corinthians 13:11 was talking about how we are children and God is the father and he won't explain the loss of my sons because I wouldn't accept or understand it. But I was still full of animal rage and thought God hated me...until I thought about the cross months later, and knew in my heart no God would chose to lose a child for me without loving me. This gave me a measure of peace, although I still struggle with grief every day. Timothy Keller is exacty right in his approach to suffering people. I'm blown away at his sensitivity and wish I had come across him sooner. God bless this man of God.

  • @MatheusMessias1
    @MatheusMessias1 Před 4 lety +29

    Listening from Brazil. Me and my wife are thankful to god for Tim and Kathy's ministery. Thank you Gospel in life for the podcast and now for this series, belivers outside New York and USA are reached and blessed for them

  • @makaila5391
    @makaila5391 Před 2 lety +5

    The fact that God’s in control, not me, won’t comfort me unless I humble myself... WHOA I needed that. Thank you. 💛

  • @isbrasil-executiveteam3809
    @isbrasil-executiveteam3809 Před 4 lety +16

    we are here, as in the first Easter, trusting the sovereign protection of the FATHER

  • @preciousrose2715
    @preciousrose2715 Před 4 lety +17

    Found this meditation so helpful especially as my family and I are currently going through a difficult time during this pandemic. I know that God is on the throne and is sovereign in this situation. All we can do is seek him through his temple and trust him.

  • @leaniebezuidenhout5094
    @leaniebezuidenhout5094 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Beautiful and glorious message as always. He just has a way of helping me understand difficult topics. Miss Tim greatly.

  • @annelee6876
    @annelee6876 Před rokem +2

    목사님, 안녕하세요, 한국에서 목사님 책들 읽고 감동 많이 받았습니다. 영어를 완전히 이해하지 못해도 이렇게 유튜브로 볼 수 있어서 참 좋습니다. 언젠가 목사님 설교 듣고 웃는 다른 사람들처럼 저도 같이 웃게 되면 좋겠습니다~^^ Thank you!

  • @inisthacker5103
    @inisthacker5103 Před 4 lety +12

    I've listened to this sermon twice. I recently began to believe that God always worked for the good of His children and sometimes I want to know HOW He's working. This is not about the current virus panic. It's a family situation that I've prayed about for years and now seems to be heading toward some kind of answer and I have anxious moments about what will happen. Prayers appreciated. I would give more information but it's a long story.

  • @gregorypeek
    @gregorypeek Před 4 lety +9

    So encouraging - thank you for a voice of compassion and reason in this crazy time.

  • @hawaiicali711
    @hawaiicali711 Před 4 lety +6

    Thank you for all your help Tim and Kathy Keller!

  • @Cgermanlugo
    @Cgermanlugo Před 4 lety +5

    Listening from Ecuador . Thanks

  • @englishwithvalia1749
    @englishwithvalia1749 Před 3 lety +2

    Thank you SO much for all that you do and your ministry. God is really working in my heart as I'm trying to overcome my long term depression. God is faithful and is indeed on the throne!

  • @johnnydaryanani9214
    @johnnydaryanani9214 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you.

  • @lloydlloyds7017
    @lloydlloyds7017 Před 4 lety +3

    Praying for you Tim!

  • @biblequestionswithchristop8971

    Solid an excellent teaching! Great exposition providing comfort and reminder that we should trust God.

  • @hanykheir7643
    @hanykheir7643 Před 4 lety +3

    Thank you Tim from Egypt , today is June 17 , 2020 and I am in a bad need this encourage message that Jesus is in control for the two reasons as you stated , appreciated

  • @MsJDH87
    @MsJDH87 Před 2 lety

    As relevant in today's crisis, as it was 2 years ago. May God help us all.

  • @roobickrubenkeshishi8473
    @roobickrubenkeshishi8473 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you pastor Tim Keller . I appreciate your teachings I continue listen to your sermons . greetings from Sweden , Ruben

  • @annec988
    @annec988 Před rokem

    I am so glad that God is in control, find it really reassuring, because I am an idiot.

  • @Lakeslover1
    @Lakeslover1 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you. God is in control! That’s good news ⚓️

  • @MariaSantana-ul5wd
    @MariaSantana-ul5wd Před 2 lety +1

    Bless you Man of God.

  • @mikeandheatherplett9614
    @mikeandheatherplett9614 Před 4 lety +6

    I am so grateful for this meditation and the Q+A after. God is on the throne and I have seen amazing things happen already during this time of crisis. Praying for revival and healing of the wounds we inflict on each other. May God be glorified. Thank-you for this ministry. Can’t wait for the next meditation! 🙌

  • @bethi5978
    @bethi5978 Před 4 lety +4

    Thank you so much. Your exposition of these scriptures are so helpful to me!

  • @Ricky_Olckers
    @Ricky_Olckers Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you Tim. I am really enjoying your sermons. I have only stumbled upon your sermons a few weeks back and has been Youtubing you ever since. Thank you so much! You're a channel of blessing to me through Christ who's inspiring you... God bless.

  • @r.1021
    @r.1021 Před 4 lety +5

    Praise the Lord. Thank you Timothy Keller. I am blessed to listen to your message everyday. Rachel from LA.

  • @rebeccaantram4165
    @rebeccaantram4165 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you 😊

  • @davidpepsny3985
    @davidpepsny3985 Před 4 lety +10

    I really like the analogy of the child with a plastic steering wheel when our Father is actually driving the car. We so often think we are in control when God is ultimately in control. Love it. BTW - The video looks so good. I'm curious what camera and settings are being used?

  • @James_Corner
    @James_Corner Před 4 lety +4

    Outstanding. Thank you. Very helpful. God Bless!

  • @ieatburgersalot
    @ieatburgersalot Před 2 lety +1

    God bless this man

  • @michaelspain4493
    @michaelspain4493 Před 4 lety +8

    Thank you for today's meditation. So reassuring.

  • @lukeben5
    @lukeben5 Před 4 lety

    I would feel so stupid sitting in a room with this couple. They are both brilliant!

  • @onnyz
    @onnyz Před rokem +1

    2022 October & I’m here being blessed.👏🙏

  • @lemmons7
    @lemmons7 Před 4 lety +4

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for this - and Happy Easter!

  • @charlyangkriwan6540
    @charlyangkriwan6540 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you Tim and Kathy for sharing the word of God and explain the meaning with so many references and experiences. I have been listening and learning from your channel almost everyday from Indonesia.

  • @johnupshaw5565
    @johnupshaw5565 Před 4 lety

    Tim.. I have listened to your good works over the last year and a half every time I can.. God comes through so tangibly he is no longer an idea to me, as He tends to with relatively new ‘born agains” (about 10 years now, and I’m 72) - but He lives as my Master and Savior as a visceral ever-present Trinity of Power, Grace and Hope... Many have been blessed by your service.. Keep going friend.....

  • @CushingsSx
    @CushingsSx Před rokem

    Wow. 😮did Pastor Keller (whom I'm hugely indebted to his intellectual commitment to biblical texts, otherwise would have left faith long time ago), just recited from memory that long poem?😅 Pray I could do that when I’m his age.😊 11:11

  • @nutshellcozinha6610
    @nutshellcozinha6610 Před 4 lety +1

    Just finished reading King’s Cross by Tim Keller. He gives so much perspective on suffering and hope. And hope that comes out of thinking, despite the mockery of today’s pessimism in the name of intellectuality. God bless you.

  • @r.1021
    @r.1021 Před 4 lety +1

    Amen!

  • @kimdokkyu
    @kimdokkyu Před 4 lety +1

    So good! Thank you.

  • @TraceyOfficial
    @TraceyOfficial Před 2 lety

    Thank you ❣️

  • @timball3026
    @timball3026 Před rokem

    These are awesome

  • @joerikr2557
    @joerikr2557 Před 4 lety +2

    Amen , John 14:27

  • @3rdgrade738
    @3rdgrade738 Před 4 lety

    very glad you and kathy are back -very good

  • @gregormann7
    @gregormann7 Před 4 lety

    TK, you are the very model of a biblical pastor. Your gift is so obvious. Thank you for stepping up on behalf of those struggling with not only the realities of the moment, but also the nefarious disinformation campaign designed, by very insidious and diabolical people in high places, to exacerbate those realities by elaborating them into a terror campaign against a generally trusting, and therefore gullible public. Psalm 11 is short and to the point.
    (And btw, please dispense with that horrible NIV. Sorry, it’s the OCD kicking in. 🤓)

    • @gregormann7
      @gregormann7 Před 4 lety

      On CoV stats- the numbers just don’t add up. Even being greatly distorted for effect. They don’t add up. Beware: this is all about setting up the world for a mass vax program to “save” us from “the virus.” It will come in record time.

  • @lukewagner8871
    @lukewagner8871 Před 4 lety +3

    Romans 8:17-23 KJVS
    [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

  • @caroldurst1855
    @caroldurst1855 Před 4 lety

    Wonderful! Thank you

  • @willcoleman2014
    @willcoleman2014 Před 4 lety

    Thank you!

  • @MrDbrown70
    @MrDbrown70 Před 4 lety

    Always grateful for Tim and Kathy

  • @ruzinninarciso4901
    @ruzinninarciso4901 Před 4 lety +17

    Is this gonna happen every day? Cause im excited to hear what's for tomorrow!

    • @gospelinlife
      @gospelinlife  Před 4 lety +16

      We're hoping to release them every Tuesday and Thursday in the weeks ahead.

    • @thegoat3153
      @thegoat3153 Před 4 lety +4

      @@gospelinlife i missed seeing new content from this channel. God bless y'all 😊

  • @yamicanada
    @yamicanada Před 4 lety

    💞

  • @3VLN
    @3VLN Před 3 lety +1

    David Being a King was still Humble to God! haha Crazy, and some of us struggle just because we are good at playing guitar lolol

  • @samuelsukumar
    @samuelsukumar Před 4 lety

    Sir, I like to know in the poem of Edward Shillto - 'The other gods were strong ....' . Who are those gods he is referring to ?

  • @andreanittel2240
    @andreanittel2240 Před 3 lety

    A loot of people have asked that question over the years- like during the Holocaust........

  • @ianbrownson2379
    @ianbrownson2379 Před 4 lety

    Hi there what would you say to me i suffer depression for 20 years i read listen to the bible every day sermons i pray all the time meditate and every day i feel horrible never feel God i no his real my faith has got stronger in 20 years but i feel so sad unhappy horrible i cant put it in words its so bad how long can this go on

    • @pettyannmurrell5689
      @pettyannmurrell5689 Před 4 lety

      surrender your pain to God. surrender completely to Him.

    • @ianbrownson2379
      @ianbrownson2379 Před 4 lety

      Thank you for al your prays

    • @summergordon1159
      @summergordon1159 Před 4 lety +1

      I’m so sorry you are having to endure this pain Ian. Long suffering is torture. You’re doing the best you can and that’s all you have to do. God knows your heart and isn’t surprised by your questions. Be real with yourself and gentle with yourself. Much love.

    • @louisedobson4364
      @louisedobson4364 Před 4 lety

      Speak to your mountain out loud "Depression and anxiety and pain, I command you to be gone from my life. I am a favored child of God the Father and He wants wants the very best for me. I plead the blood of Christ and pray for complete freedom from any demons working against me in any way. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

    • @esauponce9759
      @esauponce9759 Před 4 lety +1

      Hi, Ian. I’ll keep you in my prayers too. You are not alone.
      I’ll share with you this short message. If you haven’t heard it, pleases listen to it completely:
      czcams.com/video/ulmaUtbayGY/video.html

  • @hscollier
    @hscollier Před 3 lety

    Does any Kel know of a good ad blocker that works with CZcams?

  • @allyonightmare
    @allyonightmare Před 3 lety

    11:37

  • @cocochanelle1970
    @cocochanelle1970 Před 4 lety +2

    I keep see 11:11 or 10:10 ..........

    • @woffamily8199
      @woffamily8199 Před 3 lety

      Beloved, I don't know you in person but God knows you. God ministered to me in a revelation when I was on your profile to see things around you,l saw blessings but spiritual attacks holding onto them, in prayers, i saw a woman in the realm of the spirit monitoring and plotting delay in your life, with an evil mirror, and with motive to destroy. But as I speak to you now her time is up, Render hand of favour with Anything you can afford and give to these motherless foundation (Gods grace MOTHERLESS FOUNDATION.) Somewhere in Nigeria before 2DAYS with faith, as I Rise my hands towards heaven and pray for you they shall serve as point of contact wherever you are, you will receive double portion of grace to excel and total restoration of breakthrough in your life and in the life of your family. Ask for their acct details and help them call the MD in charge of the orphanage to get their details on (WhatsApp or call them now on (+2348160028358) tell him I sent you. For it is not by might nor by power but of the spirit saith the lord (zechariah 4:6). You shall testify to the Glory of God in your life. God bless you.

  • @unicornkitten6691
    @unicornkitten6691 Před 4 lety +1

    Hi

  • @itsemily1021
    @itsemily1021 Před 4 lety

    Hello

  • @joroland
    @joroland Před 4 lety

    The OT saints had what Tim said NT believers have when worshipping, i.e., faith, word and prayer. His dichotomy was a little too stark between the OT and NT saints. Probably unintended.

  • @Johnvalkyre
    @Johnvalkyre Před 2 lety

    I'm quadriplegic since 13 years. Then i got dumped by my gf who promised to marry me. Im destroyed in this bed wish i died i cant bare this pain

  • @andreanittel2240
    @andreanittel2240 Před 3 lety

    ...we all suffer- does that mean that there can't be a God..........silly, really...........we have to Trust!!!!!!!!

  • @briendoyle4680
    @briendoyle4680 Před 3 lety

    protect children from being exposed to grooming, bullying to ensure the safety of children online.
    Facebook, Twitter face British fines if fails on harmful content:
    Report ALL RELIGIOUS SITES!!

  • @barefootlumberjack
    @barefootlumberjack Před 4 lety +1

    The philosophical argument challenging the existence of an omnipotent, benevolent god has been straw-manned here, and all Keller's reasons to trust in god are either biblical (petitio principii, as god in the bible tells us to trust the bible, which tells us to trust god) or patently fallacious in various other instances.
    He cites Alvin Plantinga (ad verecundiam), a proponent of the invalid ontological argument, and a philosopher who believes that natural disasters exist as a result of the free will of angels and demons battling, which doesn't exempt an omnipotent being from responsibility for all things in all universes.
    The problem of evil cannot logically be reconciled a reality where god exists, is benevolent, and is omnipotent. In other words, these four assertions CANNOT logically all be true in our reality:
    1.God exists
    2.God is omnipotent
    3.God is benevolent
    4.Exil exists
    At least one must be false, and we know that (4) evil exists. The other three are faith-based speculative assertions, and none of the other three passes the smell test.
    To pretend or assert that a greater being "allows" evil to exist as a byproduct of free will is a free pass to trust that we would never grant any human, so why grant that credit to an imaginary friend? If god "allows" evil to exist, he cannot be both benevolent and omnipotent. Think about it; If you could control everything, and you cared about everyone, the FIRST thing you would do would be to cure all disease, end world hunger, and generally eradicate suffering from all it's natural sources. If humans are necessarily fallen, then you either wouldn't create them, knowing that suffering would ensue, or you would painlessly remove humans from the universe entirely and fast-track them to heaven. Wait, does heaven have a capacity? Why can't everyone go to heaven again?
    There are several reasons not to use human free will as a pass for your hypothetically omnipotent and benevolent deity. One is that libertarian free will is objectively an illusion that is a byproduct of consciousness (read Malcolm Gladwell's Blink or Sam Harris's Free Will). Another reason not to give god a pass: if free will causes suffering, and god is benevolent, god wouldn't have made humans to have free will, (which humans don't; no creature does). The argument that god allows us to make mistakes to teach us lessons bypasses a necessary feature of an omnipotent and benevolent god: he could have taught us lessons without pain. He could have given us wisdom as a gift, an inheritance of being made in his image. Quite to the contrary, we made god in OUR image, and we imbue him with ideas of love and benevolence because WE value love and benevolence. We grant him to power to control everything because we want to feel that our prayers, our pleas to the universe are worth something. In fact, they are not, which is scientifically verifiable via multiple prayer studies across multiple cultures.
    The reality is that we want god to be benevolent and omnipotent so that we feel in control, enveloping our existence with an extra facade of meaning. We want to feel as though we can answer more questions where knowledge is beyond our reach. We want to believe that when bad things happen, there is a purpose. There isn't. There is, however, a reason: humans DO choose things that cause an increase in suffering, and humans CAN make BETTER choices, which would reduce suffering. One of the reasons that we don't make many of those better choices is because faith in god (any god of any religion) is a facilitator of toxic beliefs that lead to a lack of action, a lack of education, apathy, complacency, interpersonal judgement, and self-righteousness. Toxic beliefs lead to toxic behaviors. Unfounded faith leads to toxic beliefs. Particularly in an age where information is so readily available, what you believe should be based on knowledge, not faith.
    Speaking of knowledge, Keller cites Edward Shillito as saying (in Keller's interpretation), "I don't know why god allowed this, but I know it wasn't because he doesn't love you." BULLSHIT! The only way to test love or earn trust in any circumstance is by holding one's actions to the test against one's words. God's action, or rather lack of action, speaks volumes here as to his ability, or inability, to "love". If you have a relationship with someone who demands to be trusted unconditionally when he makes decisions that are tangibly harmful, but who simultaneously demands thanks and praise when anything in your life goes right, laced with an intermittent deferral of responsibility in response to steady (and mandatory) intercession, that relationship is necessarily toxic by any standard. You can't logically give god credit for all the good and deny him responsibility for any of the bad while calling him omnipotent, and if he expects you to, he sounds a lot like Donald Trump.
    Any omnipotent and benevolent god of any culture is free to text me and explain why his existence is necessarily at odds with the laws of the universe. When that happens, I'll change my position about his existence. A trial by a jury of his peers would then be necessary to prove his benevolence.

    • @barry.anderberg
      @barry.anderberg Před 4 lety +3

      "If you could control everything, and you cared about everyone, the FIRST thing you would do would be to cure all disease, end world hunger, and generally eradicate suffering from all it's natural sources"
      Why should I think that what I would do is what God would do? Is it at least possible that God has a reason for allowing evil? If it's not possible, how do you know that?
      "if free will causes suffering, and god is benevolent, god wouldn't have made humans to have free will"
      If free will also causes good, joy, happiness and love, does your claim still hold? Why? The Christian view is that free will actually produces an infinite amount of good.
      "he could have taught us lessons without pain"
      How do you know? Simply saying that God is omnipotent doesn't work. An omnipotent being can only do any logically possible thing. Can you demonstrate that your claim is logically possible?
      "One is that libertarian free will is objectively an illusion that is a byproduct of consciousness (read Malcolm Gladwell's Blink or Sam Harris's Free Will)"
      Also you: "humans DO choose things that cause an increase in suffering, and humans CAN make BETTER choices, which would reduce suffering"
      So free will is an illusion and humans can make better choices? Do you read what you type before you click the comment button?
      "his existence is necessarily at odds with the laws of the universe"
      Which laws of the universe are you thinking of? Are there laws of the universe? How do you know?

    • @barry.anderberg
      @barry.anderberg Před 4 lety +3

      Also Plantinga isn't a proponent of the ontological argument, and nobody familiar with the argument (in its MANY forms) would claim that it's invalid. There are many philosophers who are not convinced by it, but it is a logically valid argument.
      Plantinga defends his own version of the ontological argument called the Modal Ontological Argument, which again is VALID and has not been refuted by anyone.

  • @CushingsSx
    @CushingsSx Před rokem

    I disagree a little bit, I think it's a case-to-case basis, when I'm going through something really tough, suffering, I'd rather have someone explain with rigor the Bible ( and philosophy, etc 11:11 to clear up my wrong assumptions about God/our Father, thank you Jesus), to reign in my overly zealous limbic system. I don't think if I'm too unique in this.

  • @glock4121
    @glock4121 Před 3 lety

    Pastor Tim....Funny, but not funny, I am turning 50 years old this July and I am still 5 years in my heart. Another words i just cannot seem to mature in my faith. I always am drinking milk rather then eating meat and potatoes. Panic is sometimes my closet friend. Surprisingly I am husband, a father to 3 children and a sheriff officer. On the outside most people assume i am mature, responsible, have character, integrity, i own a home, i have a car etc etc. And though that maybe true, (I still stumble far from perfect) on the inside i am wreck. I don't see what you see in Gods word. I just don't understand. I don't understand His grace. So much so that His grace does not give me joy. Hence why i feel like a 5 year old. I live in panic all the time. Someone like King David, who has failed many times, can still understand and excepts God's mercy after each failure. I can't do that. Let me rephrase that. I don't know how to do that. I don't know how to let God drive the car. Outside i have it together or at least i have the persona that i have together but inside i am a 5 year old child that really has never grown up.

    • @aidabarreto9299
      @aidabarreto9299 Před 2 lety

      I’ll be praying for you, I’ll be praying for Holy Spirit guidance in your life to lead you to peace and show you the way, to deliver you from whatever holds you captive. 🙏 God bless

    • @glock4121
      @glock4121 Před 2 lety

      @@aidabarreto9299 thank you very very much.

  • @nickvoutsas5144
    @nickvoutsas5144 Před rokem

    God is not in control unless you forgive .
    God is not in control unless you repent.
    God is not in control unless you believe that Holy Communion is truly the life force of God ( blood of Christ)
    God is not in control unless allow the Holy Spirit to live within you.
    God is not in control unless you accept are baptised in water and accept the Holy oil of the Spirit of God.
    God is not in control unless you have faith,hope and love.
    God is not in control unless you believe God is in control.
    God is not in control if you believe that you can be selfish whilst seeing your fellow man suffer , you have to do the works of God.
    Tim Keller says that you are saved by God's grace alone but this is not true , you are saved by accepting The Spirit of God .
    If God had to save you by grace alone why would he not save each and every one of us.
    There is a good reason why Jesus always said your belief has made you well.
    There is a very good reason why Jesus said to the person who repented on the cross that his soul would be in paradise.
    THE WORKS YOU DO AND THE WORDS YOU SAY AND THE HUMBLENESS YOU GIVE ARE ALL A TESTIMONY THAT YOU HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST.
    The parable of the talents,the parable of the sower,the parable of the Good Samaritan and every other parable had one thing in common relating human actions to salvation.
    If God's grace was the only contributing factor for our salvation then why should free will even exist ?
    The body does what the mind think's.
    Words that come out of our mouth are verbal actions and therefore manifest themselves in physical sounds with meaning.
    There is a misconception that God's grace alone saves us and although it is half true it is not the entire truth.
    What saves us is both physical and spiritual in nature. Love and forgive so you can be forgiven.
    Unfortunately the narrative of the evil religion planted by the new age churches is particularly true because of the evil of man and not God.
    In some respect I agree with Tim Keller , as the criminal next to Jesus asked Jesus to forgive him it was God's grace that saved him but even at that moment the words of the sinner manifested in a deep regret ,repentance and physical words. The mere fact that of believing and speaking verbalising is a physical act even his thoughts manifest themselves into words of repentance.
    The Orthodox Church celebrates the resurrection more that any other Christian denomination.
    And God sends his Holy light In Jerusalem.
    Why is the Holy light of God such a secret?
    Because it's a miracle in acknowledgment that God points us back to his original church at Pentecost.
    If you do not believe in this miracle then I dare any other Christian denomination to create a fire which does not physically burn you within the first few minutes when the Orthodox patriarch hands over the Holy flame.

  • @GnosisMan50
    @GnosisMan50 Před 4 lety

    “God is always in control” Really? Can God control Trump? We humans really need some help.

    • @buckenheimer3
      @buckenheimer3 Před 4 lety

      GnosisMan50 ALWAYS

    • @GnosisMan50
      @GnosisMan50 Před 4 lety

      Liter One we see before us a killer pandemic, an incompetent toxic president, the loss of jobs, income, corporate greed, injustice, and lies from political leaders who do not have the answers to the many brutal problems of human existence. ...do you think this is normal? No amount of preaching or praying to god is going to solve our problems. If you have the courage, read up on Chris Hedges. Then you will know that no god will save us. We must save ourselves FROM ourselves before it’s too late.

    • @buckenheimer3
      @buckenheimer3 Před 4 lety

      GnosisMan50 You're right,there is no saving ourselves,Theres only one who can save .This world is perishing my friend.Why do you think god is allowing these things to happen? Everyone has turned away from him and became their own god! We have the president we deserve, I don't trust any of them . There's still hope though and one who you can put your trust in . Do you believe you have a soul?

    • @buckenheimer3
      @buckenheimer3 Před 4 lety

      GnosisMan50 Who cares about Trump ? He needs god too ! He just reads the teleprompter anyway,just a puppet. Haven't we realized yet that no matter the president,they are not really for us . But if god be for you,who could be against you?

    • @buckenheimer3
      @buckenheimer3 Před 4 lety

      GnosisMan50 why do you assume we pray for god to "solve our problems "? We pray for the strength to endure through these problems. Maybe give it a try ,you seem extremely smart,but don't be too smart for your own good. It's about faith. Maybe give it a try, you may start to feel the fear slipping away from you.

  • @gilbertchavez6806
    @gilbertchavez6806 Před rokem

    Thank you 😊

  • @Missjustbe
    @Missjustbe Před rokem

    “Jesus of the Scars” by Edward Shillito
    If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;
    Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
    We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow,
    We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.
    The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
    In all the universe we have no place.
    Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
    Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.
    If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,
    Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;
    We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,
    Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign.
    The other gods were strong; but Thou wast 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.

  • @unicornkitten6691
    @unicornkitten6691 Před 4 lety

    Hi