Podcast Summary: "Finding God" | Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

Episode Information:

• Title: Finding God
• Host/Author: Tim Keller
• Release Date: August 15, 2025
• Description: In this episode, Tim Keller delves into the biblical perspective on public faith, exploring how believers can openly share their faith in a pluralistic society. He emphasizes creating civility, peace, and meaningful dialogue with neighbors through authentic testimony and personal experiences.

1. Introduction to Public Faith

Tim Keller opens the episode by posing a critical question: "How comfortable are you when it comes to being open about your faith?" (00:03). He sets the stage for a deep exploration of what the Bible says about expressing faith publicly, especially in diverse and pluralistic environments.

Scripture Foundation:

• Exodus 3:1-14: The story of Moses and the burning bush serves as the foundational scripture for this sermon. The scripture reading outlines Moses' encounter with God, highlighting themes of divine presence, holiness, and the call to leadership.

2. The Essence of Sharing Faith

Keller emphasizes that sharing faith isn't merely about stating beliefs but articulating the journey that led to those beliefs. He states:

"It's not just here's what I believe, but how did I come to believe what I believe? How did I come to have faith in the God you have faith in?" (02:50)

Key Points:

• Personal Testimony: Sharing the process and experiences that shaped one's faith makes the conversation more respectful and engaging.
• Lowering Barriers: By focusing on the journey, believers can foster mutual respect and understanding.
• Encouraging Dialogue: Personal stories invite others to share their experiences, promoting meaningful conversations.

3. Moses' Conversion Experience: A Paradigm Shift

Using Moses' encounter with the burning bush, Keller identifies four critical elements that facilitate a genuine encounter with God:

1. Disrupting Sight (02:50):

   • The burning bush itself was an anomaly—“the bush was on fire and it did not burn up”—forcing Moses to investigate.
   • Analogy: Just as brush fires typically extinguish quickly, the persistent flame symbolized something beyond natural explanation, compelling Moses to engage.

2. Expanding Concept (07:30):

   • Moses' understanding of God was initially limited to his ancestral beliefs. The revelation “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” expanded his perception.
   • Quote: “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites, I am has sent me to you—the word of the Lord.” (09:45)
   • Explanation: God’s self-description highlights His self-sufficiency and the vastness of His being, challenging Moses to deepen his understanding.

3. Personal Problem (12:15):

   • Encountering God's holiness leads to self-examination and recognition of personal shortcomings.
   • Illustration: Just as witnessing extreme talent can make one feel inadequate, God's holiness exposes human imperfections, creating a "self quake."

4. Surprising Grace (17:00):

   • Despite the daunting presence of a holy God, God's promise “I will be with you” offers reassurance and the necessary grace to undertake His mission.
   • Paradox: God's active goodness means He does not tolerate evil or sin, yet His grace provides the means to engage with Him without being consumed.

Thomas Kuhn’s Paradigm Shifts: Keller draws parallels between scientific paradigms and personal belief systems. He references Thomas Kuhn’s “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” to illustrate how deeply held beliefs resist change until faced with undeniable anomalies.

• Quote: “Ordinarily you don't meet God unless something comes into your life that you can't account for and disrupts your life or disrupts your thinking.” (05:20)
• Example: Post-9/11 interpretations varied dramatically based on pre-existing beliefs, demonstrating how data can be filtered through different paradigms.

4. Real-World Applications and Examples

Keller shares various anecdotes to illustrate the transformative power of encountering God:

• Redeemer Presbyterian Church’s Growth:

  • Early congregants experienced paradigm shifts upon realizing their shared belief in historic Christianity, likening the church itself to a "burning bush" that challenged their preconceptions.

• David Martyn Lloyd Jones’ Conversion:

  • Lloyd Jones witnessed a respected physician’s emotional breakdown, leading him to recognize the vanity of human greatness and the necessity of God, mirroring a personal burning bush experience.

Barbara Brown Taylor’s Insight (21:09):

• Taylor imagines if Moses had ignored the burning bush, he would have never met God, underscoring the importance of being open to divine disruptions.

5. Theological Deep Dive: The Nature of God

Keller explores the complexity of God's nature as revealed through the burning bush:

• Holiness and Danger:

  • God's perfection is both beautiful and terrifying. Keller explains that in God’s presence, individuals confront their true selves, leading to profound personal transformation.
  • Quote: “The holiness of God is that part of God's nature that is dangerous for sinners like you and me.” (25:40)

• Active Goodness:

  • God's active opposition to evil and sin necessitates His intervention, illustrated through the necessity of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.

Connection to Jesus Christ:

• Angel of the Lord:

  • Keller identifies the "angel of the Lord" in Exodus as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, bridging the Old Testament narrative with New Testament revelations.
  • Quote: “The angel of the Lord can only be understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.” (35:20)

• Implicating the Cross:

  • Jesus embodies both God’s holiness and His surprising grace, enabling humans to encounter the divine without being consumed.
  • Hymn Reference: “Before the throne, absolved we stand. Thy love has met thy law's demand. Terrible, horrible, beautiful, gorgeous.”

6. Practical Implications for Believers

Keller encourages believers to become "burning bushes" themselves—individuals who embody the transformative presence of God, attracting others through their authentic faith and actions.

• Community Impact:

  • By living out their faith authentically, believers can draw others to explore and experience God's reality.

• Personal Transformation:

  • Embracing God's holiness and grace leads to profound personal change, aligning one's life with divine purpose and truth.

Final Challenge:

• “Do you believe in the God who revealed himself to Moses in the burning bush?” (40:00)
• Keller concludes with a prayer, urging listeners to seek a personal and transformative relationship with God.

Conclusion

In "Finding God," Tim Keller masterfully intertwines scripture, theology, and practical examples to illustrate how believers can authentically share their faith in a respectful and impactful manner. By understanding Moses' encounter with the burning bush as a paradigm-shifting experience, listeners are encouraged to open their lives to divine disruptions that lead to deeper faith and meaningful dialogue with others.

Notable Quotes:

• “It's not just here's what I believe, but how did I come to believe what I believe?” (02:50)
• “Ordinarily you don't meet God unless something comes into your life that you can't account for and disrupts your life or disrupts your thinking.” (05:20)
• “The holiness of God is that part of God's nature that is dangerous for sinners like you and me.” (25:40)

For More Resources: Visit www.gospelinlife.com to explore additional sermons and materials by Tim Keller.