Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

East of Eden

Oct 21, 2024

42:31

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Explore the tension between humanity's inherent goodness and the recurring presence of evil throughout history. Delve into Genesis for insights on human struggles, the longing for connection, and the impact of original sin. Discover the paradox of Christianity—its inclusive yet exclusive nature—and how feelings of inadequacy can hinder genuine self-expression. Ultimately, find hope in the transformative power of accepting God's love and the role of Christ as a protective refuge during life's challenges.

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Quick takeaways

The podcast emphasizes that the decline of the belief in inherent human goodness leads to a cynicism about human nature, exposing the enduring presence of evil throughout society.

Genesis provides profound insights into human vulnerability and shame through concepts like 'the reaching' and 'the covering,' revealing our longing for divine connection and grace.

Deep dives

The Quest for Understanding Human Nature

The exploration of Genesis highlights humanity's foundational questions regarding existence, such as the reasons for creation and the expectations tied to it. The decline of the romantic notion that humans are inherently good has led to increased cynicism about human nature, marked by observable evils regardless of societal improvements. The example of 'The Silence of the Lambs' illustrates the modern dilemma faced when confronting innate evil, as Officer Starling questions the external causes of Hannibal Lecter's actions. This narrative contrasts sharply with Genesis's depiction, which provides clear categories for understanding human nature and its fall into sin, suggesting a shift back to ancient texts for meaningful insights.

Intro

2min

Genesis and the Human Condition

8min

Longing for Connection and Mortality

10min

The Paradox of Christianity: Inclusion and Exclusion

3min

The Burden of Inadequacy and the Path to Redemption

16min

Finding Shelter in Faith: The Role of Christ as a Hiding Place

3min

The Western romantic idea of human nature was that we’re inherently good. But the problem is over the last century, we’ve discovered that oppression and evil have not gone away but rather have erupted with ferocity over and over again regardless of social and political arrangements.

This has created a crisis for the modern secular person. But the book of Genesis not only accounts for what we see, but also gives us enormous hope that there’s something that can be done about it.

Let’s look at what Genesis teaches us about the human condition and the hope for healing through three vivid images: 1) the reaching, 2) the covering, and 3) the sword.

This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on November 19, 2000. Series: Genesis – The Gospel According to God. Scripture: Genesis 3:20-4:2.

Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

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