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Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter
The Resurrection accounts of Jesus in the Gospels are the most dramatic and impactful stories ever told. One similarity unites each testimony--that none of his most loyal and steadfast followers could "see" it was him, back from the dead. The reason for this is at the very foundation of the Christian faith.
She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. (John 20:14)
Hope in the Time of Fear is a book that unlocks the meaning of Jesus's resurrection for readers. Easter is considered the most solemn and important holiday for Christians. It is a time of spiritual rebirth and a time of celebrating the physical rebirth of Jesus after three days in the tomb. For his devoted followers, nothing could prepare them for the moment they met the resurrected Jesus. Each failed to recognize him. All of them physically saw him and yet did not spiritually truly see him. It was only when Jesus reached out and invited them to see who he truly was that their eyes were open. Here the central message of the Christian faith is revealed in a way only Timothy Keller could do it--filled with unshakable belief, piercing insight, and a profound new way to look at a story you think you know. After reading this book, the true meaning of Easter will no longer be unseen.
She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. (John 20:14)
Hope in the Time of Fear is a book that unlocks the meaning of Jesus's resurrection for readers. Easter is considered the most solemn and important holiday for Christians. It is a time of spiritual rebirth and a time of celebrating the physical rebirth of Jesus after three days in the tomb. For his devoted followers, nothing could prepare them for the moment they met the resurrected Jesus. Each failed to recognize him. All of them physically saw him and yet did not spiritually truly see him. It was only when Jesus reached out and invited them to see who he truly was that their eyes were open. Here the central message of the Christian faith is revealed in a way only Timothy Keller could do it--filled with unshakable belief, piercing insight, and a profound new way to look at a story you think you know. After reading this book, the true meaning of Easter will no longer be unseen.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
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About the author
Timothy J. Keller
397 books5,762 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 - 30 of 231 reviews
March 7, 2021
4.5. Though I think this book could have been shorter, and better edited overall, it contains too much edifying theology and invigorating application to not give it five stars.
March 25, 2021
An absolutely wonderful book. Sort of a greatest hits of Keller’s main themes. The final chapter on why secular progressivism is fundamentally flawed is Keller at his finest. Some brilliant excerpts from and elaborations on insights from other Christian authors too. All in all, a brilliantly written, fairly short read, on what Keller calls ‘The Great Reversal’.
March 13, 2024
Is there anything better than the hope of the resurrection? It seems that Keller always knows the exact words my soul needs. Will be ordering for myself to keep so I can reread chapter 11 over and over
May 15, 2022
Really incredible book. This book goes into every possible way the resurrection of Jesus changes everything. It is the absolute most mind blowing event in history. Practical, challenging, and encouraging.
March 21, 2021
Closer to 4.5
Can the world provide you with any resemblance of hope? We are at each other's throats in so many respects. We blame others for the plight we are in. If this was fixed or that injustice was eliminated, all would be right with the world. Sounds great, but is it true? Is the answer to have the issues "out there" fixed, and my problems would go away, or does the problem start and end with me?
Wealth, fame, comfort still leave people feeling hopeless and unhappy. In so many respects, we have it all, but still, we feel empty and lost—what a paradox.
Timothy Keller lays out a reasonable and logical argument for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Like, first and foremost, is it true? What evidence is there? Why is the Christian experience, unlike other religions, and why would this provide me with hope and meaning?
Whether you have never heard the story or an intimately familiar with it, this book will challenge you, comfort you, and even maybe, give you a reason to hope.
Can the world provide you with any resemblance of hope? We are at each other's throats in so many respects. We blame others for the plight we are in. If this was fixed or that injustice was eliminated, all would be right with the world. Sounds great, but is it true? Is the answer to have the issues "out there" fixed, and my problems would go away, or does the problem start and end with me?
Wealth, fame, comfort still leave people feeling hopeless and unhappy. In so many respects, we have it all, but still, we feel empty and lost—what a paradox.
Timothy Keller lays out a reasonable and logical argument for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Like, first and foremost, is it true? What evidence is there? Why is the Christian experience, unlike other religions, and why would this provide me with hope and meaning?
Whether you have never heard the story or an intimately familiar with it, this book will challenge you, comfort you, and even maybe, give you a reason to hope.
November 21, 2022
3.5 stars. I find Keller at times hard to read as he's very academic, but the overall message of hope is incredibly encouraging and a great reminder of the 'now and not yet' kingdom. Loved one of his last lines, 'Jesus was truly abandoned so that you only feel abandoned but you're not.' Praise God for the hope we have in the resurrection!
July 10, 2021
Timothy Keller is my new favorite author. (Ok, maybe tied with Dickens.) I'm glad I didn't read the "Easter" part in the title initially because I might have put off reading it until, well, Easter. But I needed this book NOW. Because who doesn't need hope in times such as these? Keller is writing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and a recent pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
It's definitely a book that I will be reading again and again. But one of the things that stood out to me was the HISTORY of Christianity that Keller included in the beginning chapters. I've been a believer most of my life, but unfortunately I've never looked into the rich historical authenticity of Christ as a person and his dying and rising again. I am interested in pursuing more on this topic, and I will definitely be checking out the authors he mentions and quotes in his book. (Oh, and I'll definitely be reading more of Timothy Keller as well!)
It's definitely a book that I will be reading again and again. But one of the things that stood out to me was the HISTORY of Christianity that Keller included in the beginning chapters. I've been a believer most of my life, but unfortunately I've never looked into the rich historical authenticity of Christ as a person and his dying and rising again. I am interested in pursuing more on this topic, and I will definitely be checking out the authors he mentions and quotes in his book. (Oh, and I'll definitely be reading more of Timothy Keller as well!)
May 10, 2021
Thank God for Tim Keller. This book, written in the midst of COVID-19 and a battle with pancreatic cancer, is one of Keller's best. His basic thesis is that the resurrection of Jesus is the in-breaking of the world-to-come. This "great reversal" of the resurrection is the Christian's future hope and present experience. This book is a great read for seminary trained nerds like me as well as someone simply wondering, "why does the resurrection matter?" Highly recommended.
April 26, 2024
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Hope in Times of Fear was written in the aftermath of the pandemic, when the world felt that it had much to fear, and desperately needed hope. Keller examines a host of areas in which we need hope, from our relationships to our interaction with class and race and sex, from our views on justice and suffering to the security of our faith in Jesus and the salvation He offers us through His death and resurrection. It’s that resurrection that is the true focus of the book. Keller posits that, if we will only view all else through the lens of the empty tomb, that we cannot help but hope, no matter the circumstances.
I’ve never read any other book that was such a deep dive into the ramifications of the resurrection of Christ. I found it pretty fascinating to see how Keller believed our faith in the resurrection could so radically effect how we saw class and race and sex, how we sought justice and addressed suffering. If we truly live in the hope of the resurrection, then every terrible thing we face seems lighter. If that hope is shaping our lives, then we view our fellow humans with so much more dignity and caring. Sadly, living in this hope is far less common in Christianity today than it was in the early Church. Keller encourages his readers to take back that hope, and to apply it to every corner of their lives. And to spread that hope as widely and wildly as they can.
While I really respect what Keller had to say, and think that he said it well, I struggled with this book. It’s less than 300 pages, but it took me nearly a month to read. I deeply respect Keller’s mind, but there’s something about his writing style that I have a difficult time connecting with. There is so much good stuff here, but the book is so dense. I deeply respect Keller’s mind, but there’s something about his writing style that I have a difficult time connecting with. I struggle with nonfiction to begin with, but this had almost no anecdotes or bits of history or anything narrative to break up the heavy theology and philosophy. I felt inundated, swept under by the weight of it all. It had the texture of a really good college textbook in my opinion, incredibly cerebral by down-to-earth enough to follow. I didn’t find it difficult to understand, just difficult to stick with for more than a dozen pages at a stretch. Some older works, specifically those from C.S. Lewis, manage to convey the same depth of thought while still being much more approachable, and much easier to read.
The highlight of the entire book for me was, strangely, Finding Hope in Times of Suffering. In this chapter, Keller delves into the Sermon on the Mount and some of the parables of Jesus. His approach was incredibly thorough and thought-provoking. My understanding of certain incredibly familiar passages, specifically the Beatitudes and the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, was deepened significantly. And lastingly. I feel that this chapter truly helped me to grasp more firmly Scripture that I’ve read countless times since childhood.
Keller had some great things to convey to Christians in this book, and I feel that he got his point across. I struggled with my reading of it, but I’m glad I stuck it out. If you’re interested in the topics I mentioned above but are like me and sometimes struggle with nonfiction, I would recommend pacing yourself. Read a section or two a chapter per night. This is not a bingeable book, despite its slim size.
Hope in Times of Fear was written in the aftermath of the pandemic, when the world felt that it had much to fear, and desperately needed hope. Keller examines a host of areas in which we need hope, from our relationships to our interaction with class and race and sex, from our views on justice and suffering to the security of our faith in Jesus and the salvation He offers us through His death and resurrection. It’s that resurrection that is the true focus of the book. Keller posits that, if we will only view all else through the lens of the empty tomb, that we cannot help but hope, no matter the circumstances.
I’ve never read any other book that was such a deep dive into the ramifications of the resurrection of Christ. I found it pretty fascinating to see how Keller believed our faith in the resurrection could so radically effect how we saw class and race and sex, how we sought justice and addressed suffering. If we truly live in the hope of the resurrection, then every terrible thing we face seems lighter. If that hope is shaping our lives, then we view our fellow humans with so much more dignity and caring. Sadly, living in this hope is far less common in Christianity today than it was in the early Church. Keller encourages his readers to take back that hope, and to apply it to every corner of their lives. And to spread that hope as widely and wildly as they can.
While I really respect what Keller had to say, and think that he said it well, I struggled with this book. It’s less than 300 pages, but it took me nearly a month to read. I deeply respect Keller’s mind, but there’s something about his writing style that I have a difficult time connecting with. There is so much good stuff here, but the book is so dense. I deeply respect Keller’s mind, but there’s something about his writing style that I have a difficult time connecting with. I struggle with nonfiction to begin with, but this had almost no anecdotes or bits of history or anything narrative to break up the heavy theology and philosophy. I felt inundated, swept under by the weight of it all. It had the texture of a really good college textbook in my opinion, incredibly cerebral by down-to-earth enough to follow. I didn’t find it difficult to understand, just difficult to stick with for more than a dozen pages at a stretch. Some older works, specifically those from C.S. Lewis, manage to convey the same depth of thought while still being much more approachable, and much easier to read.
The highlight of the entire book for me was, strangely, Finding Hope in Times of Suffering. In this chapter, Keller delves into the Sermon on the Mount and some of the parables of Jesus. His approach was incredibly thorough and thought-provoking. My understanding of certain incredibly familiar passages, specifically the Beatitudes and the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, was deepened significantly. And lastingly. I feel that this chapter truly helped me to grasp more firmly Scripture that I’ve read countless times since childhood.
Keller had some great things to convey to Christians in this book, and I feel that he got his point across. I struggled with my reading of it, but I’m glad I stuck it out. If you’re interested in the topics I mentioned above but are like me and sometimes struggle with nonfiction, I would recommend pacing yourself. Read a section or two a chapter per night. This is not a bingeable book, despite its slim size.
February 6, 2024
A really great read.
March 4, 2025
Accidental Easter season special on my part. But a genuine, sweet, and much needed reminder of the resurrection!
April 20, 2024
I rate my reading experience and the amount I learned from this book 8/10
This is a Christian nonfiction book. I would describe it as an exploration of the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, and our reason for hope. It explores how the resurrection impacts us, the church, our relationships with each other and with the world.
I found the style of book to be thought provoking. I would have liked a little more practical application. However, it did encourage and strengthen my faith and I may read more by this author in the future.
This is a Christian nonfiction book. I would describe it as an exploration of the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, and our reason for hope. It explores how the resurrection impacts us, the church, our relationships with each other and with the world.
I found the style of book to be thought provoking. I would have liked a little more practical application. However, it did encourage and strengthen my faith and I may read more by this author in the future.
April 23, 2022
I wanted to read this book before Easter to put me in the right mindset, but then ~life~ happened lol and I just finished it. I loved the way this book examined how often we talk about Jesus dying for our sins but then mention the resurrection quickly almost as an add-on. This book emphasizes that the resurrection PROVES that our debt was been canceled and Jesus’ payment was accepted through the reversal of death itself seen in Jesus’ resurrection. So good.
July 19, 2023
Loved this book. The bottom line is that when Jesus was resurrected from being dead, that history was forever changed. In light of that Keller spends the book explaining the effects of the resurrection on our personal faiths, justice, the oppressed, and our eternity. Yay God!
April 2, 2021
Tim Keller has a certain method to all of his books that is present here also — showing how the Gospel strikes a third-way balance between what is typically understood as conservative or liberal, optimist or pessimist. He does the same here, yet through the lens of what the Bible teaches about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The recurrent theme in this book is how the resurrection is the ultimate display of “the great reversal” — the way to gain your life is to lose it; the way to joy is through suffering; the way to be rich is to be poor; and the way to life is through death, seen most vividly in the resurrection.
Or, as he says, “The good things of this world seen as blessings but received without God become curses . . . And the hard things of this world seen as curses but received with faith in God will be turned into blessings.” (61-62).
Those concerned that Keller is a liberal in sheep’s clothing might want to read chapter 10 on justice, where Keller acknowledges the reality of systemic problems and corporate responsibility, but says “the Bible puts the greatest weight on individual responsibility” (p.164). Refreshingly, he goes on to warn against the tendency of some Christians to get caught up in “national conversations,” and urges them to focus more on local action instead (p.168). I wholeheartedly agree and think this can spare Christians a lot of false guilt for not seeking to solve every social problem that comes across your Twitter feed.
Tim Keller continues to use his gifts, even during a time when he himself is struggling with pancreatic cancer, to serve as the great apologist of our day. May God grant him hope in the resurrection as he walks by faith in his current struggle.
Or, as he says, “The good things of this world seen as blessings but received without God become curses . . . And the hard things of this world seen as curses but received with faith in God will be turned into blessings.” (61-62).
Those concerned that Keller is a liberal in sheep’s clothing might want to read chapter 10 on justice, where Keller acknowledges the reality of systemic problems and corporate responsibility, but says “the Bible puts the greatest weight on individual responsibility” (p.164). Refreshingly, he goes on to warn against the tendency of some Christians to get caught up in “national conversations,” and urges them to focus more on local action instead (p.168). I wholeheartedly agree and think this can spare Christians a lot of false guilt for not seeking to solve every social problem that comes across your Twitter feed.
Tim Keller continues to use his gifts, even during a time when he himself is struggling with pancreatic cancer, to serve as the great apologist of our day. May God grant him hope in the resurrection as he walks by faith in his current struggle.
May 4, 2025
A friend recommended this for dealing with grief. Pain, sadness, and brokenness are real elements of life in this broken world. But the Resurrection brings transformation and healing not only to our lives and things are being made new.
Full of scripture, CS Lewis, NT Wright, JRR Tolkien, and so many other theologians, thinkers, and scholars. Keller takes a wealth of ideas from the greatest minds and pulls them together to apply to our times.
The great and grand thoughts of many are brought to the practical sidewalks and living rooms of regular (often hurting) people. Keller helps us apply the big ideas to the day-to-day of our lives with family and friends, and also in our communities and nation.
He challenges us to put the principles of scripture first and then let them actually push us to act—not only changing how we live our lives—but also placing the transforming power of the cross above convenient political alliances, lazy cultural norms, and default living.
Easter not only changed the world, but it can change us too.
Full of scripture, CS Lewis, NT Wright, JRR Tolkien, and so many other theologians, thinkers, and scholars. Keller takes a wealth of ideas from the greatest minds and pulls them together to apply to our times.
The great and grand thoughts of many are brought to the practical sidewalks and living rooms of regular (often hurting) people. Keller helps us apply the big ideas to the day-to-day of our lives with family and friends, and also in our communities and nation.
He challenges us to put the principles of scripture first and then let them actually push us to act—not only changing how we live our lives—but also placing the transforming power of the cross above convenient political alliances, lazy cultural norms, and default living.
Easter not only changed the world, but it can change us too.
April 2, 2024
I told myself I’d finish this book by Easter. One day late… I’ll take it though.
Overall, this book is really good though not exactly what I thought. It is much more contemporary than the book I expected it to be, which was a fully analytical deep dive on the theological implications of the resurrection, which it has too.
The best part of the book, in my opinion, is when he is NOT talking about anything happening today or commenting on various historical figures (outside of Christ and biblical figures, of course).
The best thing that this book drilled into my heart is that the gospel is a story of a Great Reversal and that it can be seen in a billion ways. That is very encouraging, and hope-inducing.
I always enjoy Keller though sometimes I find him a little hard to read. I don’t know why it is.
He starts the book by explaining that he was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and reading it just makes your heart sink and your eyes well. But you rejoice in the confidence of his faith throughout the book as he witnesses to the fact that Christ is risen indeed!
This is not all there is. Have hope, and look to the Lord, who will deliver you.
Overall, this book is really good though not exactly what I thought. It is much more contemporary than the book I expected it to be, which was a fully analytical deep dive on the theological implications of the resurrection, which it has too.
The best part of the book, in my opinion, is when he is NOT talking about anything happening today or commenting on various historical figures (outside of Christ and biblical figures, of course).
The best thing that this book drilled into my heart is that the gospel is a story of a Great Reversal and that it can be seen in a billion ways. That is very encouraging, and hope-inducing.
I always enjoy Keller though sometimes I find him a little hard to read. I don’t know why it is.
He starts the book by explaining that he was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and reading it just makes your heart sink and your eyes well. But you rejoice in the confidence of his faith throughout the book as he witnesses to the fact that Christ is risen indeed!
This is not all there is. Have hope, and look to the Lord, who will deliver you.
April 19, 2025
Penned during the COVID-19 pandemic, this well-written study on the hope of the resurrection provides some new Christian insights and deeper perspectives applied to modern challenges. While the author’s theology differs from mine in many ways, his arguments are solid and helpful for those seeking to understand what the resurrection means to Christians (and, if believed, the entire world). And, while the writing style felt a bit too “sermon-esque” for me, there was no “fire and brimstone” and thus, the author writes in an approachable way. Suitable for bible study discussion, this collection does indeed provide hope for those who seek a deeper understanding of the resurrection in the modern age.
May 23, 2025
EXCELLENT book. I feel like I highlighted pretty much every page. Would love to re-read this annually. One of my favorite books ever.
Tim Keller was encouraged to write a book centering around Easter as a companion to ‘Hidden Christmas’. Then COVID hit and he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He notes that such things “concentrate the mind wonderfully” (!!). He adds that this book is the one that he felt the most divine guidance and help.
This book is a treasure. It starts out with the historicity and evidence for the resurrection and then expounds on what it means for the life of a Christian. How the Great Reversal informs our life, our mission, our outlook, our identity, our hope.
Tim Keller was encouraged to write a book centering around Easter as a companion to ‘Hidden Christmas’. Then COVID hit and he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He notes that such things “concentrate the mind wonderfully” (!!). He adds that this book is the one that he felt the most divine guidance and help.
This book is a treasure. It starts out with the historicity and evidence for the resurrection and then expounds on what it means for the life of a Christian. How the Great Reversal informs our life, our mission, our outlook, our identity, our hope.
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April 5, 2021In the first part of the book Keller gives a historical defense of the resurrection. Then, in the second part, he draws out some of the implications of the resurrection in the lives of individuals as well as for communities. Keller is a such a good "street-level" theologian, tying in his insight on psychology/sociology so effectively. I was a bit disappointed though as I was expecting this book to be more testimonial. Keller's article in The Atlantic about his journey with pancreatic cancer was great and I was hoping for more of that.
November 29, 2021
This book convinced me that Jesus' resurrection is more vital and touches more areas of life than I realized. Keller masterfully connects the reality of the resurrection to the specifics of living the good life here and now. As he mentions in the introduction, he approaches this book more as a pastor than an academic, aiming at our hearts with biblical evidence.
Some specific gold nuggets:
The outworking of the categories of an over-realized and under-realized kingdom eschatology in chapter 2: Future Hope.
Compelling example of hospitality from the L'Abri in chapter 3: Glorious Hope.
The comparison of the qualities of the world and Jesus' kingdom in chapter 11: Hope in the Face of Suffering. (This chapter alone makes this book worth buying!)
Argument for the transcendent, rational hope in the resurrection over all lesser "hope-so" hopes in chapter 12: Hope for the Future.
Some specific gold nuggets:
The outworking of the categories of an over-realized and under-realized kingdom eschatology in chapter 2: Future Hope.
Compelling example of hospitality from the L'Abri in chapter 3: Glorious Hope.
The comparison of the qualities of the world and Jesus' kingdom in chapter 11: Hope in the Face of Suffering. (This chapter alone makes this book worth buying!)
Argument for the transcendent, rational hope in the resurrection over all lesser "hope-so" hopes in chapter 12: Hope for the Future.
November 5, 2023
"If you have sympathies with some of the Democratic or Republican platforms, and try to support them, you will be under pressure to support all of the party line. As we have seen, biblical justice does not fit well into these categories. It often straddles them and mixes elements that in the secular world seem "conservative" or "liberal." pg. 167.
"If Easter happened, it is the secular theories of Freud, Marx, and Nietzsche that will eventually find themselves in the ashbin of history." pg. 169.
"If Easter happened, it is the secular theories of Freud, Marx, and Nietzsche that will eventually find themselves in the ashbin of history." pg. 169.
June 2, 2024
“The resurrection of Christ promises not merely some future consolations for the life we lost but the restoration of the life we lost and infinitely more.
It promises the world and life that we have always longed for but never had.”
4.5 stars rounded up cause I love anything by Tim Keller!
It promises the world and life that we have always longed for but never had.”
4.5 stars rounded up cause I love anything by Tim Keller!
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August 31, 2021Probably good at any time but definitely given what we've been through the last 18 months (and likely longer). Resurrection power is not only for the future but for the here and now.
April 27, 2023
This was a fantastic book, but there were times when I forgot that it was about the resurrection because it kind of went too far with some of the applications.
May 15, 2021
This is an enjoyable and quite helpful read, but it also contains some confusing parts. As with much of Tim Keller's work, there are some really profound insights, but there are also some frustrating arguments. Keller is learned and this book is well-researched, and while he is pastoral at times, sometimes I wish he would push in a little deeper into some of his bolder claims. In this review, I will proceed chronologically through the arguments of the book.
One of the medicines that our generation needs in abundance is a hope that is grounded in spite of human nature—something for which we have not properly accounted. The resurrection is the Christian's hope, and this book is filled with not only reasons for the reliability of the resurrection, but also with New Testament implications for the resurrection on us.
The book begins with reasons that we can trust that Jesus Christ did indeed rise from the dead in accordance with the Scriptures, and I think this would be beneficial for any Christian to read in order to bolster their understanding of our reasonable faith. Basing most of his material from N.T. Wright's hefty volume on the resurrection, Keller begins by addressing commonly stated objections to the resurrection narrative. I include some brief summaries of the arguments below:
1. Objection: Theories of Jesus' resurrection came decades after his life.
The summary of 1 Cor. 15:3-7 about the resurrection was formulated within months of Jesus's death and was widespread by the time of writing, according to reasonable scholarship concerning this passage. Keller writes, "A growing movement of Jews who worshipped a human being as the Son of God was completely unprecedented. And it happened immediately after Jesus's death" (6).
2. Objection: The disciples were only speaking of the resurrection as his presence in their hearts.
This is not an adequate explanation for their speeches and writings, since they gave a time stamp for the resurrection, namely that our Lord rose on "the third day." This signals that this was being conveyed as a historical event.
3. Objection: The resurrection was a hoax.
There were hundreds of corroborating eyewitnesses, whom Paul recognizes explicitly (1 Cor. 15).
4. Objection: The ancients were a credulous people./The disciples convinced themselves that the resurrection occurred.
The claim of resurrection was an incredible claim in that culture, even as it is today: "Such a resurrection was too unimaginable for Jews" (8).
Next, Keller moves to provide Paul's evidence for the resurrection, which I summarize below:
1. The tomb was empty.
"The fact of the empty tomb is accepted by most scholars, including those who don't accept the resurrection...'it is hard to imagine belief in a risen Jesus getting very far if one could easily point to the grave in which he was still present'" (9, quotation from Peter Williams, Can We Trust the Gospels?).
2. A large and diverse group of people testified that they had seen the risen Jesus.
Paul speaks of hundreds of eyewitnesses of the risen Christ. In addition, the eyewitness accounts provided in the Gospels claim that the first witnesses of the resurrection were women, and "Since women in that patriarchal culture were not allowed to give evidence in court, there would be no plausible reason that the gospel writers would have invented them" (10).
In summary, Keller cites a great quote from Wright, who says, "if you rule out a resurrection, you have a formidable challenge—to come up with a historically possible alternate explanation for these two facts, as well as for the birth of the church itself" (11).
Keller also provides a couple additional pieces of evidence:
3. The "strangeness of the risen Jesus" makes it unlikely that it was a fiction of the disciples.
Some Jewish apocalyptic literature include figures of blinding light, and biblical accounts also include dazzling or ghostly figures (Dan. 12:2-3, 1 Sam. 28:13), but Jesus appears with a resurrected body that has continuity and discontinuity with his former body (e.g. he retains his wounds, he is able to travel across space in supernatural ways), and he appears to have a "resuscitated" but "transformed" new body that has no precedence in literature. It is not plausible to believe that these stories were merely made up.
4. The early church's faith and belief in the resurrection is inexplicable otherwise.
Belief in the resurrection was universal among Christian belief, even though resurrection was unbelievable to the people of that generation and culture.
In an age that is dominated by the advances of science and technology, Keller is compelled to respond to the question, "What about empirical evidence?" In response, he helpfully acknowledges that while "no event in past history can be empirically proven the way something can be tested in a laboratory," it is also true that, as Wright argues, "No other explanations have been offered, in two thousand years of sneering skepticism...that can satisfactorily account for how the tomb came to be empty, how the disciples came to see Jesus, and how their lives and worldview were transformed" (14). Ours is a reasonable faith—we are not strictly "fideists" who have a blind faith. Ours is a historical faith built on certain essential historical facts, without which our entire faith is vain and we would be most pitiable. The resurrection is one of those historical facts. However, Keller writes pastorally when he reminds us, "Even if you come to believe, on rational grounds, that the resurrection of Jesus probably happened, you still must exercise faith to become a Christian...We must appropriate these truths personally, by faith" (15). All that I would add is that this does not come from the heart of man, but by the Spirit. While we do not exalt man's reason above the sovereign work of God, neither do we condemn reason, which is the faculty we use to comprehend the things of God. This section concerning reasons for the resurrection are helpful and compelling, and I think it would do Christians well to think about them.
One of Keller's main emphases throughout the book is that the resurrection has such profound bearing on us right now because "when Jesus rose, he brought the future kingdom of God into the present. It is not yet here fully but it is here substantially, and Christians live an impoverished life if they do not realize what is available to them" (24). This is a crucial part of his understanding of the kingdom of God. Citing Geerhardus Vos, Keller writes, "The kingdom of God, then, 'means the renewal of the world through the introduction of supernatural forces'" (27). Keller rightly emphasizes that the "Kingdom is already here, but not yet in its fullness," and he cautions against overemphasizing either truth (29). One of the issues that I take with Keller in this book is that he seems to uncritically lean toward an over-realized eschatology at times when he writes about the renewal of society and culture using the resources of Christianity. To his credit, he strives for balance, but there are some statements that, though qualified, still could be interpreted as saying too much, such as: "The 'already' means that Christians can expect to use God's power to change social conditions and communities" (31). It is clear from other parts of the book that this is not a triumphalist view, but I don't think the reader is given any clues as to how to understand this "power to change." Elsewhere, he writes that "being a Christian makes us partners and participants with Christ in his work of spreading the healing and energizing kingdom power throughout the world" (47). If we are talking in a spiritual sense, I would agree entirely. In a physical and material sense, I might agree in a limited sense, but it is those types of statements that I think are easy to abuse. In this cultural moment, I'm afraid that the material understanding will take precedence over the more consequential spiritual understanding. However, this book is a good corrective for those who may be tempted to casually dismiss all social issues since "It's all going to burn anyway."
One of my favorite sections included a lot of great material about the display of the glory of God and how this changes us, since we are being conformed to the image of Christ as we behold Him in resurrected glory since we are united to Him. Keller also does a great job setting the resurrection as The Great Reversal, which follows a pattern of subversive patterns throughout Scripture, which G. K. Beale calls "God's ironic overturning of human wisdom" (61). God chose to show his power to save through the weakness of the Son in His death. Keller does a great job tracing out how this type of thinking pervades Pauline theology.
Keller also included two thought-provoking chapters about Jesus's post-resurrection encounters with various people, including a great section on Peter. Keller treads the oft-trodden ground of following Peter's story of failure and the subsequent portrait of restoration and forgiveness he receives from our Lord. Keller does an excellent job showing how Peter painfully experienced the fragility of his own self-constructed identity—based on his superiority over the other disciples—which led to hostility that came as a result of that fragile identity being challenged (as evidenced by his denials). In response, Jesus sought him in order that he might have a godly repentance, characterized by a sorrow and grief for offending one whom we love, rather than a worldly sorrow concerned only with the effects of our sin. Peter's paradigm for discipleship needed to be reoriented. In response, our Lord restored Peter with free grace, and the entire sequence of events reminds us that "A Christian identity is based ultimately on a realization of the magnitude of God's unchanging love for us" (104).
Another issue I have with this book is how limited (or non-existent) a role gospel proclamation plays. In speaking of our hopes, Keller writes, "Our goal is the future of the resurrection—the creation of a new humanity. And this will come about not with clashing swords but through deeds of sacrificial service, the mark of the upside-down dynamic of cross and resurrection. We secure true freedom and the good of others through the sacrifice of our own freedoms and goods" (134). A lot of that is all fine and good, except that its vision is anemic without the proclamation of the gospel at the center. Though there are certainly many parts of the book that would undermine this, it is possible to fill in these "deeds" with only elements of a social gospel. It must be explicitly stated that these self-sacrificing acts of good works are essential for Christian character and witness, but it is the preaching of the Word and the proclamation of the gospel that must be the primary mission of the Church. Souls depend on robust preaching, even when doing so is unpopular. This type of self-sacrifice is especially required in this moment and in every subsequent moment until our Lord returns in glory to consummate the kingdom. Deeds of righteousness and justice cannot be neglected, and they are invaluable for our testimony and witness, but faith comes from hearing the Word of God, and the ministry of the Word is the primary means God uses in the world to bring sinners to Himself. The resurrection demands proclamation, not just our imitation as a paradigm for sacrificial giving.
Keller's section on race (he acknowledges that this is a socially constructed term in the appendix) was mostly helpful. He emphasizes that race and ethnicity are relativized compared to our more fundamental identity: "in Christ." However, Christians—and here he is mainly speaking into the present moment—would do well to "be less defensive" and "quick to repent" while listening to others without a posture of self-justification (140). This is important to recognize, and I hope it is increasingly true of me.
Keller's connection between sexual relationships and the resurrection, which comes through the union we have in Christ, was very well done in my opinion. While discussing the early Church, Keller writes, "The biblical condemnation of porneia...was one of the distinctive marks of the early Christians...The Christian sex ethic was understood by the apostles to be a nonnegotiable part of orthodoxy" (148). Regarding the logic of sexual ethics, "Sexual union was made by God to deepen and reflect the whole life union of marriage, and only the whole life union of marriage qualified you for sexual union" (150). Keller notes that Paul argued that "sex must be a pointer to whole-life union with an earthly spouse" in 1 Cor. 6:16, and he also argued that "it also is to be a pointer to our whole-life union to Christ, our heavenly spouse" in 1 Cor. 6:15,17,18,19 (151). In summary, "our spiritual union with Christ is to be a model for sexual unions between human beings" (151).
One of my biggest frustrations with the book came when he, essentially, belittles personal morality and holiness as doing nothing of significance with relation to the decay around us compared to using the nebulous "liberating, repairing power of God" in society (156). Striving for personal holiness is an incredibly powerful force in the world, not to mention a primary responsibility. When we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, it can have an outstanding effect on the society around us, which is easily demonstrable from the witness of Church history. This is so frustrating because I fear that this mentality can lead to distraction. We need more pastors to urge us unto holiness, not away from it.
The section on justice was almost just as frustrating. In many ways, there is a lot of good balance in this section. But, it is riddled with some shoehorned Tim Keller "third way"-isms. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but it is what characterizes the political messaging of his that I have read. This political paradigm sometimes leads to careless caricatures, such as rendering laissez-faire capitalism incompatible with biblical economic justice for some unstated reason—presumably due to greed, which is endemic to human nature, not merely capitalism—though it is perfectly reasonable for Christians in a capitalistic system to voluntarily "share [their goods] with the poor and weaker of society" (162). Another issue is the conflation of defining justice and the gracious, voluntary actions taken by Christians in society.
The book concludes with a great reminder of the Christian hope for the future, which secularism cannot provide, especially after the carnage of the 20th century. All Christians would benefit from this chapter, and we must proclaim the hope it contains to the world. Though we must confront the evil resident in human nature, God graciously offers redemption. This is good news!
One of the medicines that our generation needs in abundance is a hope that is grounded in spite of human nature—something for which we have not properly accounted. The resurrection is the Christian's hope, and this book is filled with not only reasons for the reliability of the resurrection, but also with New Testament implications for the resurrection on us.
The book begins with reasons that we can trust that Jesus Christ did indeed rise from the dead in accordance with the Scriptures, and I think this would be beneficial for any Christian to read in order to bolster their understanding of our reasonable faith. Basing most of his material from N.T. Wright's hefty volume on the resurrection, Keller begins by addressing commonly stated objections to the resurrection narrative. I include some brief summaries of the arguments below:
1. Objection: Theories of Jesus' resurrection came decades after his life.
The summary of 1 Cor. 15:3-7 about the resurrection was formulated within months of Jesus's death and was widespread by the time of writing, according to reasonable scholarship concerning this passage. Keller writes, "A growing movement of Jews who worshipped a human being as the Son of God was completely unprecedented. And it happened immediately after Jesus's death" (6).
2. Objection: The disciples were only speaking of the resurrection as his presence in their hearts.
This is not an adequate explanation for their speeches and writings, since they gave a time stamp for the resurrection, namely that our Lord rose on "the third day." This signals that this was being conveyed as a historical event.
3. Objection: The resurrection was a hoax.
There were hundreds of corroborating eyewitnesses, whom Paul recognizes explicitly (1 Cor. 15).
4. Objection: The ancients were a credulous people./The disciples convinced themselves that the resurrection occurred.
The claim of resurrection was an incredible claim in that culture, even as it is today: "Such a resurrection was too unimaginable for Jews" (8).
Next, Keller moves to provide Paul's evidence for the resurrection, which I summarize below:
1. The tomb was empty.
"The fact of the empty tomb is accepted by most scholars, including those who don't accept the resurrection...'it is hard to imagine belief in a risen Jesus getting very far if one could easily point to the grave in which he was still present'" (9, quotation from Peter Williams, Can We Trust the Gospels?).
2. A large and diverse group of people testified that they had seen the risen Jesus.
Paul speaks of hundreds of eyewitnesses of the risen Christ. In addition, the eyewitness accounts provided in the Gospels claim that the first witnesses of the resurrection were women, and "Since women in that patriarchal culture were not allowed to give evidence in court, there would be no plausible reason that the gospel writers would have invented them" (10).
In summary, Keller cites a great quote from Wright, who says, "if you rule out a resurrection, you have a formidable challenge—to come up with a historically possible alternate explanation for these two facts, as well as for the birth of the church itself" (11).
Keller also provides a couple additional pieces of evidence:
3. The "strangeness of the risen Jesus" makes it unlikely that it was a fiction of the disciples.
Some Jewish apocalyptic literature include figures of blinding light, and biblical accounts also include dazzling or ghostly figures (Dan. 12:2-3, 1 Sam. 28:13), but Jesus appears with a resurrected body that has continuity and discontinuity with his former body (e.g. he retains his wounds, he is able to travel across space in supernatural ways), and he appears to have a "resuscitated" but "transformed" new body that has no precedence in literature. It is not plausible to believe that these stories were merely made up.
4. The early church's faith and belief in the resurrection is inexplicable otherwise.
Belief in the resurrection was universal among Christian belief, even though resurrection was unbelievable to the people of that generation and culture.
In an age that is dominated by the advances of science and technology, Keller is compelled to respond to the question, "What about empirical evidence?" In response, he helpfully acknowledges that while "no event in past history can be empirically proven the way something can be tested in a laboratory," it is also true that, as Wright argues, "No other explanations have been offered, in two thousand years of sneering skepticism...that can satisfactorily account for how the tomb came to be empty, how the disciples came to see Jesus, and how their lives and worldview were transformed" (14). Ours is a reasonable faith—we are not strictly "fideists" who have a blind faith. Ours is a historical faith built on certain essential historical facts, without which our entire faith is vain and we would be most pitiable. The resurrection is one of those historical facts. However, Keller writes pastorally when he reminds us, "Even if you come to believe, on rational grounds, that the resurrection of Jesus probably happened, you still must exercise faith to become a Christian...We must appropriate these truths personally, by faith" (15). All that I would add is that this does not come from the heart of man, but by the Spirit. While we do not exalt man's reason above the sovereign work of God, neither do we condemn reason, which is the faculty we use to comprehend the things of God. This section concerning reasons for the resurrection are helpful and compelling, and I think it would do Christians well to think about them.
One of Keller's main emphases throughout the book is that the resurrection has such profound bearing on us right now because "when Jesus rose, he brought the future kingdom of God into the present. It is not yet here fully but it is here substantially, and Christians live an impoverished life if they do not realize what is available to them" (24). This is a crucial part of his understanding of the kingdom of God. Citing Geerhardus Vos, Keller writes, "The kingdom of God, then, 'means the renewal of the world through the introduction of supernatural forces'" (27). Keller rightly emphasizes that the "Kingdom is already here, but not yet in its fullness," and he cautions against overemphasizing either truth (29). One of the issues that I take with Keller in this book is that he seems to uncritically lean toward an over-realized eschatology at times when he writes about the renewal of society and culture using the resources of Christianity. To his credit, he strives for balance, but there are some statements that, though qualified, still could be interpreted as saying too much, such as: "The 'already' means that Christians can expect to use God's power to change social conditions and communities" (31). It is clear from other parts of the book that this is not a triumphalist view, but I don't think the reader is given any clues as to how to understand this "power to change." Elsewhere, he writes that "being a Christian makes us partners and participants with Christ in his work of spreading the healing and energizing kingdom power throughout the world" (47). If we are talking in a spiritual sense, I would agree entirely. In a physical and material sense, I might agree in a limited sense, but it is those types of statements that I think are easy to abuse. In this cultural moment, I'm afraid that the material understanding will take precedence over the more consequential spiritual understanding. However, this book is a good corrective for those who may be tempted to casually dismiss all social issues since "It's all going to burn anyway."
One of my favorite sections included a lot of great material about the display of the glory of God and how this changes us, since we are being conformed to the image of Christ as we behold Him in resurrected glory since we are united to Him. Keller also does a great job setting the resurrection as The Great Reversal, which follows a pattern of subversive patterns throughout Scripture, which G. K. Beale calls "God's ironic overturning of human wisdom" (61). God chose to show his power to save through the weakness of the Son in His death. Keller does a great job tracing out how this type of thinking pervades Pauline theology.
Keller also included two thought-provoking chapters about Jesus's post-resurrection encounters with various people, including a great section on Peter. Keller treads the oft-trodden ground of following Peter's story of failure and the subsequent portrait of restoration and forgiveness he receives from our Lord. Keller does an excellent job showing how Peter painfully experienced the fragility of his own self-constructed identity—based on his superiority over the other disciples—which led to hostility that came as a result of that fragile identity being challenged (as evidenced by his denials). In response, Jesus sought him in order that he might have a godly repentance, characterized by a sorrow and grief for offending one whom we love, rather than a worldly sorrow concerned only with the effects of our sin. Peter's paradigm for discipleship needed to be reoriented. In response, our Lord restored Peter with free grace, and the entire sequence of events reminds us that "A Christian identity is based ultimately on a realization of the magnitude of God's unchanging love for us" (104).
Another issue I have with this book is how limited (or non-existent) a role gospel proclamation plays. In speaking of our hopes, Keller writes, "Our goal is the future of the resurrection—the creation of a new humanity. And this will come about not with clashing swords but through deeds of sacrificial service, the mark of the upside-down dynamic of cross and resurrection. We secure true freedom and the good of others through the sacrifice of our own freedoms and goods" (134). A lot of that is all fine and good, except that its vision is anemic without the proclamation of the gospel at the center. Though there are certainly many parts of the book that would undermine this, it is possible to fill in these "deeds" with only elements of a social gospel. It must be explicitly stated that these self-sacrificing acts of good works are essential for Christian character and witness, but it is the preaching of the Word and the proclamation of the gospel that must be the primary mission of the Church. Souls depend on robust preaching, even when doing so is unpopular. This type of self-sacrifice is especially required in this moment and in every subsequent moment until our Lord returns in glory to consummate the kingdom. Deeds of righteousness and justice cannot be neglected, and they are invaluable for our testimony and witness, but faith comes from hearing the Word of God, and the ministry of the Word is the primary means God uses in the world to bring sinners to Himself. The resurrection demands proclamation, not just our imitation as a paradigm for sacrificial giving.
Keller's section on race (he acknowledges that this is a socially constructed term in the appendix) was mostly helpful. He emphasizes that race and ethnicity are relativized compared to our more fundamental identity: "in Christ." However, Christians—and here he is mainly speaking into the present moment—would do well to "be less defensive" and "quick to repent" while listening to others without a posture of self-justification (140). This is important to recognize, and I hope it is increasingly true of me.
Keller's connection between sexual relationships and the resurrection, which comes through the union we have in Christ, was very well done in my opinion. While discussing the early Church, Keller writes, "The biblical condemnation of porneia...was one of the distinctive marks of the early Christians...The Christian sex ethic was understood by the apostles to be a nonnegotiable part of orthodoxy" (148). Regarding the logic of sexual ethics, "Sexual union was made by God to deepen and reflect the whole life union of marriage, and only the whole life union of marriage qualified you for sexual union" (150). Keller notes that Paul argued that "sex must be a pointer to whole-life union with an earthly spouse" in 1 Cor. 6:16, and he also argued that "it also is to be a pointer to our whole-life union to Christ, our heavenly spouse" in 1 Cor. 6:15,17,18,19 (151). In summary, "our spiritual union with Christ is to be a model for sexual unions between human beings" (151).
One of my biggest frustrations with the book came when he, essentially, belittles personal morality and holiness as doing nothing of significance with relation to the decay around us compared to using the nebulous "liberating, repairing power of God" in society (156). Striving for personal holiness is an incredibly powerful force in the world, not to mention a primary responsibility. When we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, it can have an outstanding effect on the society around us, which is easily demonstrable from the witness of Church history. This is so frustrating because I fear that this mentality can lead to distraction. We need more pastors to urge us unto holiness, not away from it.
The section on justice was almost just as frustrating. In many ways, there is a lot of good balance in this section. But, it is riddled with some shoehorned Tim Keller "third way"-isms. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but it is what characterizes the political messaging of his that I have read. This political paradigm sometimes leads to careless caricatures, such as rendering laissez-faire capitalism incompatible with biblical economic justice for some unstated reason—presumably due to greed, which is endemic to human nature, not merely capitalism—though it is perfectly reasonable for Christians in a capitalistic system to voluntarily "share [their goods] with the poor and weaker of society" (162). Another issue is the conflation of defining justice and the gracious, voluntary actions taken by Christians in society.
The book concludes with a great reminder of the Christian hope for the future, which secularism cannot provide, especially after the carnage of the 20th century. All Christians would benefit from this chapter, and we must proclaim the hope it contains to the world. Though we must confront the evil resident in human nature, God graciously offers redemption. This is good news!
February 18, 2024
As I’ve been working through one of the hardest decisions of my life to take a break from teaching— this book deeply encouraged me. Must read!!!
April 22, 2021
A timeless book that is incredibly timely. Tim Keller directly addresses our current world of pandemic, racial unrest and social confusion as well as his own personal battle with cancer in a highly philosophical and direct manner. He looks at hope through the “Great Reversal” of the Resurrection and how it can change our lives and perspective on the struggles of life in this world.
While not highly practical, I found his exploration of the Word, history and philosophy to be not only informative, but so key for my head and heart.
While not highly practical, I found his exploration of the Word, history and philosophy to be not only informative, but so key for my head and heart.
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August 21, 2024I come away from this book most remembering what Keller calls "The Great Reversal": basically, all of redemptive history is a story of the unexpected. It's the younger brothers and uglier sisters that are chosen; it's from the hillbilly backwaters of Nazareth that the Christ comes; it's from utter weakness that Christ springs with strength.
July 7, 2025
Since this book was written during the COVID-19 pandemic and after Tim Keller was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he sees it as “the one in which [he] felt the most divine guidance and help.” And reading it during pregnancy after loss (both one that ended in another loss and one that is close to ending with a healthy, full-term baby) was perfect timing for me.
The thesis of Hope in Times of Fear, and, Keller argues, of the Bible is “‘the building block that was rejected became the cornerstone of a whole new world.’ Jesus brings His salvation through rejection, weakness, and sorrow. Yet not despite His weakness but through it He brings the presence of the future and begins to build a whole new world through us…This message of the Great Reversal, of light out of darkness and blessing out of curse, is something that can support us through dark times of fear and grief.”
The Great Reversal message he expounded on throughout this book gave me hope while grieving a third lost baby, and it’s giving me hope in my anxiety and fear during this pregnancy.
I almost dropped my rating of this book to four stars when Keller briefly mentioned the #MeeToo movement and seemed to be criticizing it without giving it a section in a chapter I think it deserved. After reading an excerpt from another book of his (Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?) and looking over some of his comments in an interview in which this movement was addressed, I realized I was interpreting his statement about it incorrectly in this book.
It was sweet to think about how Keller is currently experiencing the resurrection in a way he never did on earth - knowing God and enjoying Him forever - as I read this book he wrote for us in the midst of his own suffering.
The thesis of Hope in Times of Fear, and, Keller argues, of the Bible is “‘the building block that was rejected became the cornerstone of a whole new world.’ Jesus brings His salvation through rejection, weakness, and sorrow. Yet not despite His weakness but through it He brings the presence of the future and begins to build a whole new world through us…This message of the Great Reversal, of light out of darkness and blessing out of curse, is something that can support us through dark times of fear and grief.”
The Great Reversal message he expounded on throughout this book gave me hope while grieving a third lost baby, and it’s giving me hope in my anxiety and fear during this pregnancy.
I almost dropped my rating of this book to four stars when Keller briefly mentioned the #MeeToo movement and seemed to be criticizing it without giving it a section in a chapter I think it deserved. After reading an excerpt from another book of his (Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?) and looking over some of his comments in an interview in which this movement was addressed, I realized I was interpreting his statement about it incorrectly in this book.
It was sweet to think about how Keller is currently experiencing the resurrection in a way he never did on earth - knowing God and enjoying Him forever - as I read this book he wrote for us in the midst of his own suffering.
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