Tim Keller - The Theology of the Cross and Walking with a Limp

Summary

In this discourse, the speaker explores the theology of work through the lens of four theological streams: Evangelical, Mainline Christian, Reformed Christian, and Lutheran. The Lutheran perspective, emphasized by Martin Luther's 'Theology of the Cross,' suggests that God reveals Himself through suffering and the cross, challenging conventional notions of power and wisdom. The speaker illustrates how this perspective can transform our understanding of work, suggesting that all work, regardless of one's faith, is divine when done well. The narrative of Jacob's struggle with God in Genesis 32 is used to highlight the transformative power of wrestling with challenges and the pursuit of divine blessing, advocating for a 'theology of the cross' that embraces struggle and imperfection as pathways to growth and true fulfillment.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker discusses the 'theology of the cross' and its application to work, emphasizing the importance of integrating faith with one's professional life.
• 🔑 The script identifies four theological streams that influence perspectives on faith and work: Evangelical, Mainline Christian, Reformed Christian, and Lutheran.
• 💡 The Evangelical stream focuses on the heart and the role of Jesus in providing emotional and spiritual support in the workplace.
• 🌟 The Mainline Christian stream emphasizes justice, critiques of capitalism, and the pursuit of the common good through work.
• 🌈 The Reformed Christian stream highlights the importance of a Christian worldview in shaping one's work and understanding of human nature and ethics.
• ⚔️ The Lutheran stream, influenced by Martin Luther, views the cross as a revelation of God's nature and a model for understanding power, wisdom, and success through suffering.
• 🤔 The speaker challenges the idea that only Christians or those with a specific worldview can do good work, suggesting that everyone's work is part of God's work.
• 💪 The concept of wrestling with God, as illustrated by Jacob's story in Genesis 32, is presented as a metaphor for personal struggle, growth, and the pursuit of God's blessing.
• 🙏 The script suggests that suffering and wrestling are not just part of the Christian faith but are also pathways to understanding God's will and receiving divine blessings.
• 🔦 The speaker encourages embracing a 'theology of the cross' in work, which involves recognizing the value in weakness, suffering, and the transformative power of God's grace in everyday life.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the book 'Every Good Endeavor' by Timothy Keller?

The main theme of 'Every Good Endeavor' is the integration of faith with work, exploring how one's work can be connected to God's work.

How many theological streams are identified by Timothy Keller in relation to faith and work?

Timothy Keller identifies four theological streams in relation to faith and work: Evangelical, Mainline Christian, Reformed Christian, and Lutheran.

What is the focus of the Evangelical stream in the context of faith and work?

The Evangelical stream focuses on the heart, emphasizing the role of Jesus in providing comfort, strength, and guidance in dealing with the challenges of work.

How does the Mainline Christian stream view work in relation to faith?

The Mainline Christian stream emphasizes justice and critiques of capitalism, advocating for a holistic approach to work and a focus on the common good.

What is the core belief of the Reformed Christian stream as described by Keller?

The Reformed Christian stream, rooted in Calvinism, asserts that there is no neutrality in work and that every action is influenced by a certain set of beliefs, emphasizing the transformation of work through a Christian worldview.

What does the Lutheran stream, as mentioned by Keller, contribute to the understanding of faith and work?

The Lutheran stream, influenced by Martin Luther, contributes the concept of the 'theology of the cross,' which suggests that God reveals Himself through suffering and the cross, and that this perspective should inform our understanding of work.

What does Luther mean when he says a theologian of the cross 'calls the thing what it actually is'?

Luther implies that a theologian of the cross recognizes and names things as they truly are, not as they appear or as one might wish them to be, especially in the context of suffering and the cross.

How does Timothy Keller interpret the concept of power in the context of the cross?

Keller interprets power in the context of the cross as the ability to achieve God's purposes, often through weakness and suffering, rather than through worldly definitions of strength and success.

What is the significance of Jacob's wrestling match in the Genesis narrative as it relates to the theology of work?

Jacob's wrestling match symbolizes the struggle with God and the recognition of divine blessing, suggesting that true strength and purpose in work come from wrestling with and ultimately receiving God's blessing, even through struggle and weakness.

How does the concept of 'limping' relate to the theology of the cross in the context of work?

The concept of 'limping' represents the recognition of one's limitations and the need for divine grace in work. It suggests that acknowledging and embracing our weaknesses can lead to a deeper reliance on God and a more authentic integration of faith into our work.

What is the implication of the statement 'a theologian of glory calls evil good and good evil'?

This statement implies that a theologian of glory misinterprets the nature of things, failing to see the true moral and spiritual dimensions as revealed through the cross. It cautions against a distorted view that might prioritize worldly success over divine truth.