On Birth

How to Find God #1

by Timothy J. Keller

There are few events as significant and life-altering as birth, marriage, and death. These are the moments in which we experience our greatest happiness and our deepest grief. And so it is profoundly important to understand these events and their religious and spiritual significance in the course of our lives.

In On Birth , Timothy Keller - brilliant theologian and bestselling author - takes us on a journey into the Christian meaning of birth and baptism. With wisdom, joy and compassion, Keller teaches us to understand birth and baptism through the lessons embedded within the Bible.

The perfect gift for someone who is about to become a parent, On Birth is a short, powerful book that gives us the tools to understand the miracle and meaning of birth and baptism within God's vision of life.

'A Christian intellectual who takes on the likes of Nietzsche, Marx, and Freud.' The Wall Street Journal

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Parenting

128 pages, Hardcover

Published March 5, 2020

About the author

Librarian 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.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply excellent! The chapter on new birth is worth the price of the book.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little book by Keller. His first chapter on parenting was some of the most sensible parenting wisdom I’ve read.

[Dylan Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing flashy here. Simple, clear and refreshing to read as Keller points us to Christ. (Only 2 CS Lewis quotes which may be a new record.)

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Keller’s “On Death” a couple weeks ago and thought it was great. I’ve now read 2/3 of this series of little books, in an admittedly unconventional sequence, and I have to say so far they are just fantastic. It seems that they would make perfect gifts for friends as they cross these milestones in their lives.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Stellar Keller 😬

[Meaghan Recollet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward, great analogies.

[Annie Riggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keller is faithful as always to guide the reader through the murky waters of cultural norms, holding the bright lamp of biblical wisdom. He discusses the things of “first birth”: children, baptism, and parenting, and of “second birth”: coming to belief in Christ, or being “born again”.

It’s in the discussion of “second birth” where he gives the clearest and most useful understanding I’ve read, of the differences between, and cooperation of, saving faith (justification), and growth in grace (sanctification).

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book is a concise, compelling overview of the two births a christian experiences– 1) physical and 2) spiritual. in the 1st, we acknowledge a mother’s risk in bearing a child; in the 2nd, we acknowledge the real sacrifice of Christ to enable us to become children of God.

BIRTH #1: PHYSICAL
“a mother is only as happy as her unhappiest child” was an interesting secular quote. keller’s point is that giving birth to children is like a [double-edged] “sword” where your emotions (joy and pain) will be inexorably linked to your child, because loving someone entails sacrifice, making their joys your joys, their pain your pain.

emphasized child baptism in the context of church (“moral ecology”), and how this public vow can strengthen a child growing up in the faith by seeing good examples of ppl. keller credits his three sons having a positive view of christianity bc they saw high-achieving men who had good character in their nyc church.
- fascinating baptismal vow examples for the parents to “give their child to God”, be it accepting an early death of their child, or one who leaves their home/country bc God sends them to mission elsewhere. the point is God is the ultimate parent.

BIRTH #2: SPIRITUAL
really emphasizes need for spiritual “eyes to see, ears to hear”. otherwise u miss out on biblical truths while reading the Bible. Nicodemus vs. prostitute comparison is amazing, in how grace equalizes us all. typically for the “poor” it means healing their self esteem and giving them courage to speak/take action, and for “high” it means humbling themselves to a lowly posture.

keller walks through a girl’s testimony of how she sought 4 different identities before coming to Christ, and how they all proved unstable:
1. morality – identity based on how “moral” you are; arrogant when you’re succeeding but self-condemning when you fail
2. beauty - happy and vain when you look good but insecure when you don’t
3. success - confident when you’re accomplished, low self esteem when you don’t have any label to “show”
4. helpful - purposeful when you help other people but leads eventually to burnout and feeling jaded bc it’s a savior complex

GROWING IN GRACE
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 3:18

christian journey in 3 *gradual* stages:
1. childhood: we accept Jesus but our faith is based on emotions and even work-based still, as our actions are done as a basis - not result - of what Christ has done. here we learn grace
2. adolescence: we tend to rebel or wander off as we face trials, but there is a deeper invitation to know God’s unchanging love here, as we understand deeper our sinfulness and need for God
3. maturity: our faith is unshakeable through good or bad. we learn to trust, pray, and read the Word in love in every circumstance and find joy/peace bc of God’s eternal promises

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” – 2 Peter 1:5-7

[Anssi Grekula · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I guessed, Keller’s baptismal theology was interesting to read. He argues for infant baptism and holds that being born again, getting baptized by “water and spirit” is not two different instances but one. However, unlike the Lutheran point of view (which sees that this one instance IS the baptism), he maintains being born again as a separate event from baptism. And for that he even cites Luther’s experience of grasping the gospel, finally understanding God’s free grace. I think Keller’s version would be quite well received within some Pietistic Lutheran circles, even though there is a fundamental difference with the Lutheran doctrine.

Keller’s views on growing in grace, maturing as time goes make sense and give good food for thought.

[Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure how to feel about this book! On the one hand, it felt a little unfocused and didn’t necessarily align with what I was expecting based on the title and back cover synopsis. On the other hand, it was filled with great wisdom and pastoral insight.

The first section is about birth/parenthood, but the rest of the book (about 2/3) is about salvation and sanctification (spiritual birth). I would say this book is really about what it means to be a Christian, with an extended introduction about parenthood.

I encourage you to read it! It’s very short, but well worth your time.

[Gailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Whether it is joyful and desired or not, the first or fourteenth, healthy or challenged, a new person entering the world alters history in ways both large and small just by reason of his or her existence... It is a near-mystical event, welcoming a person who was not-there but now is."

[Nathan Pullman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant, simple and short, book on new birth, second birth and growing in grace. Not only is it a great resource in preparing for fatherhood, it's great to deepen your understanding in spiritual fatherhood and journeying with someone into new life in Christ and living that out day by day.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and easy book to read. Details our 'First Birth', 'Second Birth', and how we 'Grow in Grace'.

Great introduction to the series.

[Josh Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready for birth. Sign me up.

[Ryan Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Short, pastoral-like book. Easy to read! Not much elaboration on specifics of infant or believer baptism, but just generally on the second birth.

[Hannah Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

great quick read about our second birth, in Christ!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow 💯

[James Brixey]

An excellent book

Much of it is in his Gospel coalition talk 'you must be born again', which I recommend very highly.

[Erin Searson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read, I just wish he'd written more!

[Aussch · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable, short read. I enjoyed the explanations of gradual growth in christian maturity, and the simple yet profound thoughts on saving oneself and identity.

[McKayla Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensible parenting advice. A celebration of new life at birth. And an eternal celebration for those born again!

[Hiram · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Josh Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keller, as usual, hits a home run on this primer on the new birth. This, along with two other books, comprise a series of short books on "How to Find God." The premise in the introduction to these series of books submits that "often the circumstances that lead us to vital faith in Christ occur during these tectonic shifts in life stages." Hence, the short books on birth, on marriage, and on death.

As a pastor for many years, I concur with that sentiment. It is often during these monumental life stages, that people look more deeply at what life is all about.

This short book is broken into three parts: 1) The First Birth, 2) The Second Birth, and 3) Growing in Grace. In each of these chapters, Keller excels in addressing said topics infusing the power of the gospel into all three of the chapters.

The first chapter brilliantly addresses parents of new children. Are they going to follow the philosophy of the world in raising their child or the philosophy found in God's Word? For new parents, these questions could be the first time they have ever thought of such. The author juxtaposes contemporary thought patterns of child-rearing against the unchanging truths in the Bible. In this first section, he dissects and teaches through Deuteronomy chapter six the truths contained which refer to raising our children for God.

Toward the end of this chapter, he challenges parents themselves from Deuteronomy six the importance of modeling truth to our children personally. Notice the following statement:

"Children have to see gospel-based moral values and traits actually embodied in the people around them. We must live what we believe and profess. Hypocrisy will alienate our children from us, and if it does, we will deserve it."

Chapter Two delves into the necessity of the second birth and the seminal passage from the New Testament supporting this absolute - John 3. Keller masterfully dissects the setting around John 3 and the life of Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, coming to Jesus for truth. He then juxtaposes Jesus' charge to Nicodemus for the necessity of the second birth with the story in John 4 of Jesus proposing the same thing to a woman of "ill-repute." In this chapter, Keller argues thoughtfully that both Nicodemus & the woman at the well, at opposite ends of the social & economic ladder, both needed the second birth.

In the closing chapter, Keller lays forth 2 Peter 1 and the call for "growing in grace" as a new Christian. He hits upon a truth that many of my fellow Bible-believers have yet to grasp. That of the gospel being not just for the person that needs to be saved, but that the truth of the gospel is desperately needed for the seasoned Christian. In it, Keller hearkens back to some truth that John Newton wrote hundreds of years before regarding what the gospel will do for a Christian.

I highly recommend this book for both Christians and non-Christians!

[Parhelion · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was well written, it was interesting, it was profound, and I especially enjoyed the explanation of Joseph and Nicodemus. However, there was a major flaw in it that kind of ruined the middle of the book for me and it took me quite a while to get over it and get back into the book.

That was the discussion of baptism. A lot of text is devoted to a discussion of infant baptism. Keller does make the point that even in church traditions that do not practice infant baptism, babies are still often dedicated and there is a role for that in the church. Which is fine and good. BUT he keeps calling the practice "baptism", rather than the broader (and less confusing) name "dedication", and quite a lot of pages are dedicated to explaining this, when I think a paragraph would have sufficed.

And then in the second half of the book, which is referring to birth in the sense of the second birth (i.e., believing in Christ) and is the place where baptism should be explained (as in being baptised after believing in Christ, which has biblical precedence), NOTHING is said about baptism at all. So you get a lot of info on baby baptism, which is not biblical but is justified, and nothing on believer baptism, which is actually advocated in scripture. It was disappointing.

[Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Keller recently released three short books in his How to Find God series. His aim is to help readers facing major life changes to think about what constitutes the truly changed life. The purpose is to give readers the Christian foundations for life’s most important and profound moments, beginning with birth and baptism, moving into marriage, and concluding with death. On Birth is the first book in the series. The foundation of the three books is a sermon the author preached at his wife’s sister’s funeral in 2018.
The author tells us that the Christian faith teaches that every person should experience two births. The first birth is ours because God is our Creator; the second birth can be ours because God is also our Redeemer. The Lord is the author of both. In this book, the author considers the spiritual issues surrounding both births.
He writes that fewer people today see children as a blessing. Liberals tend to blame economic factors and conservatives tend to point to the rising tide of selfishness. The biblical teaching about human nature reframes parental expectations. He tells us that children are a joy, but parents often sense a responsibility that can be overwhelming. The Christian church offers, in response, the sacrament of baptism. He writes that baptizing your child is an enormous help to parents. It is a public service with vows, surrounded by friends in the Christian church community. To make solemn promises before the faces of family and friends molds us and makes permanent impressions on our minds, hearts, and wills. Dedicating your child to God through public promises before the congregation directs parents to a number of practices that are designed to turn a child’s heart toward God.
He writes that children have to see gospel-based moral values and traits embodied in the people around them. We must live what we believe and profess. Hypocrisy will alienate our children from us, and if it does, he tells us that we will deserve it. In addition, if you don’t teach your children well, someone else will. He writes that if you give your children to God, cultivate their hearts in community, and accept the sacrifices of parenting with prayer and grace, your children may find themselves contemplating the second “new” birth by the Holy Spirit.
The book then transitions to part two. Here, he uses John 3:1-6, the most famous and substantial text in the Bible telling us about the “second” or new birth. He writes that Jesus’s point in the passages is radical but simple. Everyone needs to be born again because no one can even see the kingdom of God without it. That’s who the new birth is for. It’s for everyone.
He tells us that the most essential feature about the new birth is what it does to the person who experiences it. To be spiritually alive means you can sense spiritual realities because now you have spiritual sight and taste. To be “born again” means not to become just an improved person but a new one. The “newness,” of the new birth is not that all the various features of your life—your gender, nationality, social class, and so on—pass away. Rather, none of them function any longer as your chief identity factor. They no longer serve as your main significance and security, or as the main makers of your self-regard and self-definition.
The gospel tells us the Christians are so lost and incapable of pleasing God that Jesus had to die for us, but also that we are so loved that he was glad to die for us. It tells us that we are deserving of death but are saved by sheer grace.
The Christian who has embraced the gospel has received a message that we are sinful and in ourselves worthy of condemnation, yet loved perfectly and unconditionally in Christ and free from condemnation.
He tells us that the new birth begins to “reorder your loves.” You don’t love your family or career or people less, but by the power of the Holy Spirit you learn to value God’s love more and more. Being born again not only changes what you look to as your highest good but how you look to it. Your heart rests in Christ’s freely offered love for you—it does not work for it. It’s an identity based on an entirely new foundation.
He then makes a distinction between conversion—turning to God in faith—and the new birth. He writes that conversion is what you and I do to come to God, but the new birth is what God does within us.
He tells us that no matter how good and well-ordered your life is, you must be born again, yet no matter how chaotic your life has been or how often and profoundly you have failed, you can be born again. Everybody—the apparently “best” and “worst”—stands at the same place and on the same level in their need of the grace of God.
The first thing we must do to be converted is to turn away from our self-salvation schemes in repentance. But then we must turn toward Jesus in faith, seeing the beauty of what Christ has done. It’s not enough just to believe in the grace of God in general; you have to have faith in what Jesus Christ has done in particular.
He then addresses spiritual growth, telling us that there is no excuse for not having a radically changed life if you’re a Christian. He writes that when you understand grace, it begins to change your heart and it begins to nurture the new person God is growing within you. The result is real patience, real kindness, and real behavior change.

[Ellyn Ennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet!! “See what Jesus is saying? “Your first birth brings you physical life because someone risked her life, but your second birth brings you spiritual and eternal life because someone gave his life. That someone was me.” And if we stay with Jesus’s metaphor in John 16 it gets even more wonderful. He says that, in spite of her incredible pain, a new mother is filled with joy at the sight of her child. So Jesus has the audacity to say, “That’s just a dim hint of the joy I sense when I look at you. All my suffering, torment, and death I have willingly borne, for the greater joy of saving and loving you.” Until you see that and believe and rest in that, you cannot be born again”

[Guilherme Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keller - through the Spirit - does it again. Such a greatly used instrument for God's glory.

Human birth has nothing to do with what the baby has done. We don't conceive, we don't push, & we don't choose when we're born.
The person giving birth also risks her life for the baby.

Our Spiritual birth has nothing to do with what we've done but everything with what God has done. Christ died in our place (& resurrected & ascended) so we might have a new birth through His Spirit.

The chapter on Growing in Grace is utterly amazing. The way he breaks down the baby, adolescent & adult stages of our walk with Christ is great!

[Kristina Rickard · Rating 4 out of 5]

“New birth isn’t a sort of vitamin supplement that adds the vague idea of ‘God’s love’ to the mix of all the things through which you are achieving your self-worth…. Your heart rests in Christ’s freely offered love for you— it does not work for it.”

Nice little book discussing the significance of spiritual re-birth; I especially liked the section at the end about “growing in grace.”

I was hoping for more discussion about the spiritual side of physical birth (since I am a labor nurse!) so it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but it still had some good insights.

[Elizabeth Kwon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
This novel which is the first of a trilogy, is a very short, concise book about what it means to be born physically and what the second birth entails in relation to our faith in Jesus Christ.

- defines second birth really well; also very touching how Keller explains multiple verses that are harder to understand with sound teaching
- very short and to the point
- touched on what is required in raising a newborn child; I think I’ll revisit in the future when I have my own family