The Freedom of
Self-Forgetfulness is a 2012 book on Christianity by Timothy Keller. Here,
Keller uses 1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7 as the basis to explain what it means to be
a “gospel-humble” person.
In the above passage, Saint Paul tells the Corinthians that
he does not care how they judge him, for he does not even care to judge himself;
he only allows God to judge him. This level of “self-forgetfulness,” as Keller
puts it, frees a person from both pride and insecurity. Neither sins nor
accomplishments are connected to identity; identity and self-worth are instead based
entirely on the righteousness imputed to the believer by Christ.
Keller’s message is, quite frankly, a hard teaching, and one
that seems to be of particular difficulty to the modern West, which tends to be
so comparison-based and self-focused. Indeed, the biblical position on self-esteem
presented here seems to be alien to many believers.
This is an extremely short work (less than 50 pages); it’s not
much more than an expanded sermon. As such, there’s plenty of room for
expansion in a number of areas, including and especially as to how the reader goes
about becoming “gospel-humble.”
The Freedom of
Self-Forgetfulness is, in short, an excellent introduction to an important
aspect of the Christian life; however, it is little more than an introduction.
RECOMMENDED
