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A review by jvmilks
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller
4.0
A very quick read with a very insightful view on self-esteem and pride. Here's some of my favorite quotes (and the basic summary of the book):
"...the ego is incredibly busy - in other words, it is always drawing attention to itself...and it is incredibly busy doing two things in particular - comparing and boasting." (17)
"Pride destroys the ability to have any real pleasure... Doing all kinds of things, not for the pleasure of doing them, but because we are trying to put together an impressive curriculum vitae." (19-20)
In reference to Paul's unique view of addressing pride (or low/high self-esteem), he writes "His sins and his identity are not connected... Neither does he see an accomplishment and congratulate himself. He sees all kinds of sins in himself - and all kinds of accomplishments too - but he refuses to connect them with himself or his identity." (30)
"The thing we would remember from meeting a truly gospel-humble person is how much they seemed to be totally interested in us. Because the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less. Gospel-humility is not needing to think about myself. Not needing to connect things with myself."(32)
"God says 'This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.' Or take Romans 8:1 which says 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus'. In Christianity, the moment we believe, God imputes Christ's perfect performance to us as if it were our own, and adopts us into His family. In other words, God can say to us just as He once said to Christ, 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.' ... Because He loves me and He accepts me, I do not have to do things just to build up my resume. I do not have to do things to make me look good. I can do things for the joy of doing them." (40)
"...the ego is incredibly busy - in other words, it is always drawing attention to itself...and it is incredibly busy doing two things in particular - comparing and boasting." (17)
"Pride destroys the ability to have any real pleasure... Doing all kinds of things, not for the pleasure of doing them, but because we are trying to put together an impressive curriculum vitae." (19-20)
In reference to Paul's unique view of addressing pride (or low/high self-esteem), he writes "His sins and his identity are not connected... Neither does he see an accomplishment and congratulate himself. He sees all kinds of sins in himself - and all kinds of accomplishments too - but he refuses to connect them with himself or his identity." (30)
"The thing we would remember from meeting a truly gospel-humble person is how much they seemed to be totally interested in us. Because the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less. Gospel-humility is not needing to think about myself. Not needing to connect things with myself."(32)
"God says 'This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.' Or take Romans 8:1 which says 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus'. In Christianity, the moment we believe, God imputes Christ's perfect performance to us as if it were our own, and adopts us into His family. In other words, God can say to us just as He once said to Christ, 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.' ... Because He loves me and He accepts me, I do not have to do things just to build up my resume. I do not have to do things to make me look good. I can do things for the joy of doing them." (40)