THE FREEDOM OF SELF-FORGETFULNESS
The path to true Christian joy
By Timothy Keller. 10Publishing. 46 pages. £2.99
ISBN 978 1 906 173 418
This book is a real gem. It is a lightly edited version of a sermon by Tim Keller from 1 Corinthians 3.21-4.7, in which he tackles the subject of self-esteem.
Poor self-esteem is often perceived to lie behind a plethora of personal and social problems; the answer offered being to find ways of building positive self-esteem. The book shows how the Bible views things through a completely different lens. The problem, rather, is our ego, constantly aching and unfulfilled. Yet Paul’s ego was remarkably free from others’ evaluation of him, even from his own opinion of himself. He had learned to live out of the definitive verdict that God had delivered on him in Christ.
Keller is superb at analysing contemporary psychologies, then spelling out the life-changing effects of the gospel. All of us who find ourselves worrying about what other’s think of us will understand ourselves better through this book and discover how to be free.
Buy it for yourself. Pass it on to non-Christian friends so that they can see the stunning relevance of the gospel. Or, as it’s only £2.99, why not get your church to buy a job lot and give them out?
Mike Hitchings,
pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Upper Hale, Farnham, Surrey
