The podcast delves into the theme of injustice and anger towards God, using Psalm 73 as a reference point. Asaph grapples with unfairness in the world, questioning his faith. Despite his struggles, he ultimately concludes that God is good. The episode explores the journey from despair to faith, emphasizing the importance of gaining a broader perspective in times of confusion and injustice.
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Quick takeaways
Recognizing God's goodness amidst injustice is essential for faith.
Seeing challenges from a holistic perspective leads to a deeper understanding and resolution.
Deep dives
The Relevance of Christianity in Modern Life
In the podcast, Tim Keller discusses the relevance of Christianity in addressing the challenges of modern life. Keller emphasizes that Christianity offers answers to the deepest longings of individuals in contemporary society, even amidst advancements in empirical reason and technology. By delving into the teachings of Psalm 73, Keller highlights the relevance and practicality of Christian principles, especially during challenging times like the holiday season.
Struggles with Injustice and God's Justice
Examining Psalm 73, the podcast explores the internal struggle faced by the psalmist, Asaph. Asaph grapples with the existence of injustice, feeling oppressed and confused by the prosperity of the wicked. Despite his commitment to leading a moral life, Asaph experiences affliction and questions the fairness of God's ways. Through Asaph's narrative, the podcast delves into the complexities of understanding God's justice amidst personal struggles and societal injustices.
The Need for a Comprehensive Perspective
One key insight from the podcast is the necessity of viewing challenges and dilemmas from a comprehensive perspective. As the psalmist Asaph encounters doubts and struggles, the importance of seeing the big picture and understanding multiple facets of an issue becomes paramount. Moving beyond simplistic or reductionistic views, the podcast highlights the value of gaining a holistic understanding to navigate personal dilemmas and theological uncertainties.
The Transformative Power of Grace and Understanding
The podcast culminates in emphasizing the transformative power of grace and understanding in overcoming doubt and anger towards God. Through the narrative of Asaph's journey from confusion to faith, the podcast underscores the importance of recognizing God's grace and wisdom in difficult circumstances. By acknowledging the sacrificial love of Jesus as a source of redemption and forgiveness, individuals are encouraged to seek a deeper understanding of God's goodness and embrace faith amidst life's challenges.
A lot of people are mad at God. People who believe. People who don’t believe. And people who don’t know what they believe. And in Psalm 73, we see Asaph get mad at the way God seems to be mishandling the world.
Asaph has been living a self-controlled, compassionate life, but everything is going wrong. On top of that, he sees all sorts of people who live abusive, immoral lives, and they’re having a great life. Yet we’re told that Asaph finally comes to the conclusion that God, in spite of it all, is good.
How does he get there? We’re going to look at this psalm over two weeks. This week I want to show you 1) the situation he was in, 2) how he escaped it, and 3) how he finally came to say, “God is good, no matter what happens to me.”
This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on November 21, 1993. Series: Modern Problems; Ancient Solutions. Scripture: Psalm 73.
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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