A call for 'gospel humility'
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy
Timothy Keller
10Publishing, Leyland, England
For many of us, it’s one of the great ironies of our time that with more than 2,000 books on the attainment of self-esteem now published, and with educational programs in schools designed to cultivate self-esteem continuing to proliferate, the real need is for self-forgetfulness—rooted in our understanding of God.
The founder of this magazine, Mary Baker Eddy, spoke plainly about this quality in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, where she wrote: “Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers” (p. 15 ). Similarly, in addressing the need to eliminate division, pride, and boasting in the Corinthian church of his time, the Apostle Paul shared ways in which people could learn to adjust their perspectives and live in peace with one another.
And Timothy Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York, focuses on the roles of self-esteem and self-forgetfulness in our own time by relating them to Paul’s teachings in a slim volume The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy, which has been reprinted no fewer than five times in the past two years.
Keller explores First Corinthians 3:21—4:7 , in which Paul makes it clear that if worldly wisdom gets between people and God, it’s not wisdom at all. We should never measure the depth of others’ commitment to Christ and compare their worthiness with our own. Praise comes from God alone. The call is for gospel-humility, which Keller explains is not thinking more of ourselves, or less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. “We have to relive the gospel every time we pray,” he says.
Keller is generous with his illustrations. He asks whether we fantasize about hitting “self-esteem home runs.” Do we daydream about successes that give us the edge over others? He wonders whether we berate ourselves because tormented by regrets. Wouldn’t we like to be free of all that?
He writes: “Wouldn’t you like to be the skater who wins the silver, and yet is thrilled about those three triple jumps that the gold medal winner did? To love it the way you love a sunrise? Just to love the fact that it was done? For it not to matter whether it was their success or your success. Not to care if they did it or you did it.”
So, how do we achieve this self-forgetfulness? Stop bringing every experience, every conversation, back to ourselves, says Keller, and thus be free from self-condemnation. Join with Paul in saying: “It is the Lord who judges me. … and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God” (I Corinthians 4:4, 5, New International Version).
The initiative rests with us, along with “constant prayers.” As Mrs. Eddy made clear: “Practice not profession, understanding not belief, gain the ear and right hand of omnipotence and they assuredly call down infinite blessings” (Science and Health, p. 15 ).
