Suzie Key Tima

This year (2023) marks my third reading of this book: The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller. It is the second book to make it into my “must-read-once-a-year” list. I discovered this book in 2020 and I thought it was terrific. Every time I read it; the truth it explains changes me. I would recommend that book to everyone and I think everyone would benefit from it.

Below you can find my notes from this reading and some of my favorite quotes:

Title: The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness
Subtitle: The Path to True Christian Joy
Author’s name: Timothy J. Keller
Author’s Background: Timothy James Keller was an American pastor, theologian, and Christian apologist.
Why am I reading this book: I want to think of myself less and like Keller’s writing. Second read: I think I’m losing sight of what I learned from this book and re-reading it can only help. Third read: I am reading this with my D-Group and I think I will learn more about how I can implement this in my life more I do.
What changes do I want to make now that I’ve read the book: I want to think of myself less and be gospel-humble in everything I do, all the time.

The essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less.

Introduction

1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7 So then, no one is to be boasting in people. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is an insignificant matter that I would be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself; however I am not vindicated by this, but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God. Now these things, brothers and sisters, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos on your account, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. For who considers you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

In the introduction, Timothy establishes what the problem is: the human ego. While, contrary to the past, there seems to be a big emphasis on helping people develop self-esteem and a better/higher view of self, it seems this solution is lacking. This portion of scripture provides an answer that is different and unexpected.

Chapter 1: The Natural Condition of the Human Ego

This first chapter goes into the attributes of the human ego along with its effect on how people act. The ego, according to Timothy, is empty, painful, busy, and fragile.
The human ego actively seeks out things to fill itself such as fame, success, etc. All of this reveals its emptiness. The ego is also painful because it ties our identity to all sorts of things so that when its identity is taken away or threatened, it causes us pain. It causes us pain because there is something that is wrong with it so it seeks out attention.
In its attempts to be filled and get attention, the ego is constantly preoccupied and busy comparing or boasting. It is also easily inflated or deflated and therefore, fragile.

Chapter 2: The Transformed View of Self

If this is the wrong way to relate to self, then what is? The answer can be found in Paul’s text: to be defined by neither the judgment of others nor one’s own judgment. Knowing our sins should not stop us from our calling because we are not our sins. This goes against the preaching of many who say that one should only be concerned about one’s own opinions of oneself. But this is not a solution to our problem, and neither is self-deprecation and low self-esteem. The solution for us is neither in thinking less of ourselves nor in thinking more of ourselves; it is in thinking of ourselves less.

Chapter 3: How to Get that Transformed View of Self

The last chapter helps answer the way to get to that point and it is simply a realization. A realization someone—Christ—already went to court and accepted our punishment so that we don’t have to. It is now of no use to ask if we are enough; it doesn’t matter because He is. And that is our identity. It’s in knowing that we are loved and accepted by the One who made us, and that is not based on our performance but solely on who He is and what He has done.

Book Recommendation: