The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness

The Path to True Christian Joy

By: Timothy Keller

Narrated by: Neil Gardner

Length: 54 mins

Publisher's summary

What are the marks of a supernaturally changed heart?

This is one of the questions the Apostle Paul addresses as he writes to the church in Corinth. He's not after some superficial outward tinkering, but instead a deep rooted, life altering change that takes place on the inside. In an age where pleasing people, puffing up your ego and building your résumé are seen as the methods to "make it", the Apostle Paul calls us to find true rest in blessed self forgetfulness.

In this short and punchy book, best selling author Timothy Keller, shows that gospel humility means we can stop connecting every experience, every conversation with ourselves and can thus be free from self condemnation. A truly gospel humble person is not a self-hating person or a self-loving person, but a self-forgetful person.

This freedom can be yours...

©2012 Timothy Keller (P)2022 10Publishing

The only Christian book I’ve been able to get through in years

I fell away from Christianity over a decade ago due to poor experiences with the church and too many unanswered questions. For the first time in years I was able to finish a “Christian” book—short though it is. Tim Keller does a wonderful job explaining how Christian humility can take a massive load off our backs. He integrates research-backed psychological observations and although he does reference the Bible, he doesn’t overdo it. His tone is not overly flowery for effect and he doesn’t abuse and redefine language (not to cast aspersions, but both are things which drove me away from John Piper). Rather, he is straightforward, precise in his speech, and his writing follows a logical flow. I really enjoyed this book and it took a weight off my heart.

The narration is done by an Englishman, which made the book more approachable to me, having been put off by so many dozens of tawdry American preachers over the years.

Powerful and deep

Although a relatively short book, the impact of living this way is transformational.. and can affect generations. A message I will listen too many times.

Keller takes what many of us know in our heads and makes it applicable in daily living

This book shed such profound & practical ‘how to’ in the pursuit of becoming like Jesus… who was the master at self forgetting… I’ve listened to it 2x now and know that I’ll listen to it many more times to get the truths of how this happens, (forgetting myself), engrained in my brain. This is a must read (listen) book for every proclaiming follower of Jesus…. To be like Jesus is to be way less enthralled with ourselves and far more enthralled with other people. This book gets a 10 out of 10!

Timothy Keller teaches how to get out of the daily courtroom.

I always enjoy Timothy Keller’s intellectual approach to understanding God’s amazing gift of salvation and this book tells us of our self worth. It’s a daily battle for myself and many others.

A must read

The message of this book is liberating and life-changing. As others have said, it would be time well-spent to read or listen to this book weekly. I read it at least once per year, and I buy copies to share with others. I cannot recommend it enough!

Brilliant

Dr. Keller is insightful here, as always! This book covers a lot of ground and is definitely worth the listen!

Key for believers

It’s amazing how he breaks down how Paul achieved the disconnection from flesh. My sins should not stop me from fulfilling my purpose nor should my purpose justify me from my sins. How forgetting yourself is essential to not judge yourself nor take boast in your achievements. Highly recommend this book.

to the point

awesome and to the point
he makes it clear and lets us fill in all the blanks of our own lives

In a nutshell…

Clear, and to the point, weeding out distractions and clarifying what’s real. Recommended for those weary of churchianity.

Short but totally worth a credit.

I did hesitate as I like to get my credits worth and often base that somewhat on duration. This book is short but I was not disappointed and I expect to be listening to it again a few times a year. Such an important message about ego.