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The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy
What are the marks of a supernaturally changed heart?
This is one of the questions the Apostle Paul addresses as he writes to the church in Corinth. He's not after some superficial outward tinkering, but instead a deep rooted, life altering change that takes place on the inside. In an age where pleasing people, puffing up your ego and building your résumé are seen as the methods to "make it", the Apostle Paul calls us to find true rest in blessed self forgetfulness.
In this short and punchy book, best selling author Timothy Keller, shows that gospel humility means we can stop connecting every experience, every conversation with ourselves and can thus be free from self condemnation. A truly gospel humble person is not a self-hating person or a self-loving person, but a self-forgetful person.
This freedom can be yours...
This is one of the questions the Apostle Paul addresses as he writes to the church in Corinth. He's not after some superficial outward tinkering, but instead a deep rooted, life altering change that takes place on the inside. In an age where pleasing people, puffing up your ego and building your résumé are seen as the methods to "make it", the Apostle Paul calls us to find true rest in blessed self forgetfulness.
In this short and punchy book, best selling author Timothy Keller, shows that gospel humility means we can stop connecting every experience, every conversation with ourselves and can thus be free from self condemnation. A truly gospel humble person is not a self-hating person or a self-loving person, but a self-forgetful person.
This freedom can be yours...
Audible Audio
Published April 8, 2022
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About the author
Timothy J. Keller
447 books5,805 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Timothy Keller was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons. For over twenty years he has led a diverse congregation of young professionals that has grown to a weekly attendance of over 5,000.
He was also Chairman of Redeemer City to City, which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and publishes books and resources for faith in an urban culture. In over ten years they have helped to launch over 250 churches in 48 cities. More recently, Dr. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over 1 million copies and been translated into 15 languages.
Christianity Today has said, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”
Dr. Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served as the pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America.
Timothy Keller was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons. For over twenty years he has led a diverse congregation of young professionals that has grown to a weekly attendance of over 5,000.
He was also Chairman of Redeemer City to City, which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and publishes books and resources for faith in an urban culture. In over ten years they have helped to launch over 250 churches in 48 cities. More recently, Dr. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over 1 million copies and been translated into 15 languages.
Christianity Today has said, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”
Dr. Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served as the pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 10, 2025
This was excellent. I will be revisiting this one. Listened to it for free on Libby.
"The thing we would remember from meeting a truly gospel-humble person is how much they seemed to be totally interested in us. Because the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less."
"The thing we would remember from meeting a truly gospel-humble person is how much they seemed to be totally interested in us. Because the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less."
January 25, 2026
Wow. Wow. Wow. One of the most impactful, thought provoking, convicting, self reflective, informative books I’ve read. A quick read that will definitely be read and again and again!!
May 21, 2025
This was a nice short book to listen to. I think it could’ve been a little longer, as it felt like the ending was a bit rushed which is why I gave it four stars.
Here’s my spoiler and my concluding thoughts at this time: that my value only comes from God, and what others think or say including myself doesn’t carry any weight to my value. But it provides a chance to consider how I can become all things to all people.
Timothy Keller describes a way of how to accept criticism and compliments, but not identify with them. And he challenges us how to disassociate personal identity value from victories and failures.
Some closing thoughts: when I enter a room and I’m seeking to get a validation and trying to fill my ego, the question I should be seeking to answer instead is, am I willing to die to my need to satiate my ego? Am I willing to accept God’s approval of me and become whoever I need to become to win as many as possible?
Here’s my spoiler and my concluding thoughts at this time: that my value only comes from God, and what others think or say including myself doesn’t carry any weight to my value. But it provides a chance to consider how I can become all things to all people.
Timothy Keller describes a way of how to accept criticism and compliments, but not identify with them. And he challenges us how to disassociate personal identity value from victories and failures.
Some closing thoughts: when I enter a room and I’m seeking to get a validation and trying to fill my ego, the question I should be seeking to answer instead is, am I willing to die to my need to satiate my ego? Am I willing to accept God’s approval of me and become whoever I need to become to win as many as possible?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews