Jesus came into this world not as a philosopher or a general but as a carpenter. All work matters to God.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the value of all types of work and suggests that even ordinary labor has significance in a spiritual context.
Timothy Keller's quote reflects the idea that Jesus, who came to the world not as a figure of power or wisdom like a philosopher or general, instead embraced the humble profession of a carpenter. This underscores the belief that all occupations—no matter how ordinary or manual—hold intrinsic value and purpose in the eyes of God. It challenges the perception that only high-status roles or intellectual pursuits have worth, affirming that every contribution to society is meaningful.
In practice
This quote can be used in a sermon to encourage congregation members about the importance of their daily work.
Falling in love in a Christian way is to say,'I am excited about your future and I want to be part of getting you there. I'm signing up for the journey with you. Would you sign up for the journey to my true self with me? It's going to be hard but I want to get there.
Only in Jesus Christ do we see how the untamable, infinite God can become a baby and a loving Savior. On the cross we see how both the love and the holiness of God can be fulfilled at once.
All human problems are ultimately symptoms, and our separation from God is the cause.
While your character flaws may have created mild problems for other people, they will create major problems for your spouse and your marriage.
To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.
God's Kingdom is "present in its beginnings, but still future in its fullness. This guards us from an under-realized eschatology (expecting no change now) and an over-realized eschatology (expecting all change now). In this stage, we embrace the reality that while we're not yet what we will be, we're also no longer what we used to be.
Only death reveals what a nothing the body of man is.
Commit a crime, and the earth is made of glass.
Fishing is a... discipline in the equality of men - for all men are equal before fish.
Big ideas, big ambitious projects need to be embedded within culture at a level deeper than the political winds. It needs to be deeper than the economic fluctuations that could turn people against an expensive project because they're on an unemployment line and can't feed their families.
One theory is that we will make war look so attractive that we undermine the deterrent. That's Never Never Land. What we have now would have been enough to deter Hitler. But we are talking in a different order of reality.
Never say anything to hurt anyone. Moreover . . . refrain from double talk, from shrewd and canny remarks that are designed to advance our interests at someone's disadvantage. We are to turn our back upon evil, and in every way possible, do good, help people and bring blessings into their lives.
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