Podcast Summary: "Knowing Good" by Timothy Keller

Podcast Information:

• Title: Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life
• Host/Author: Tim Keller
• Episode: Knowing Good
• Release Date: August 13, 2025
• Description: Sermons by Tim Keller, founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC and NY Times best-selling author of ”The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism.” For more sermons and resources, visit www.gospelinlife.com.

1. Introduction to Go and Share Month

Timothy Keller opens the episode by highlighting the significance of August as "Go and Share Month" at Gospel in Life. He encourages listeners to engage in simple, small acts of sharing the gospel, emphasizing that "God uses small acts to do great things" ([00:03]). Keller underscores the transformative power of the Gospel, asserting, "Jesus doesn't just give us answers, he gives us Himself" ([00:03]).

2. Scripture Reading: Romans 2:12-29

The episode centers around a detailed exploration of Romans 2:12-29. A reader narrates the passage, which discusses the judgment based on the moral law, emphasizing that:

• Universal Moral Law: "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law" ([00:59]).
• Inner Conscience: Gentiles who do not have the law still act according to it by nature, indicating that "the requirements of the law are written on their hearts" ([00:59]).

This passage sets the foundation for Keller's discussion on objective morality and the human conscience.

3. Public Sharing of Faith in a Pluralistic Society

Keller introduces the series "Public Sharing the Hope that's Within," focusing on how believers can share their deep faith in an open, pluralistic society respectfully and peacefully ([03:45]). He addresses common objections, such as the belief that expressing religious convictions leads to conflict, and counters by drawing parallels to widely accepted beliefs like human rights:

• Human Rights as Belief: "It's a belief and it's essentially the same as a religious belief" ([03:45]).
• Challenge of Double Standards: "Those of us who don't have [religious beliefs] can do anything we want with them" ([03:45]).

Keller challenges listeners to consider the basis of their moral convictions, prompting a move away from shouting matches to meaningful conversations about the origins of morality.

4. The Challenge of Relativism and Moral Realism

Delving deeper, Keller discusses the tension between moral relativism and moral realism. He references Romans Chapter 2 to illustrate that:

• Relativism Fails: "No one can succeed in being a relativist" ([03:45]).
• Moralists Also Fail: "No one really can succeed in being a moralist" ([03:45]).

He explains that without an absolute moral law, rooted in God, societies cannot sustain consistent moral standards, leading to chaos and injustice.

5. Philosophical Arguments Supporting Objective Morality

Keller presents philosophical arguments, referencing Tom Nagel's book "Mind and Cosmos," to argue against evolutionary materialism:

• Subjective Moral Feelings: Nagel contends that if morals are purely evolutionary, they are subjective and lack objective grounding ([03:45]).
• Inconsistencies in Moral Relativism: Keller illustrates this with a hypothetical tribe that accepts torture for fun, questioning the basis for condemning such acts if all morals are subjective ([03:45]).

This section reinforces the necessity of objective moral truths, which Keller ties back to the biblical moral law.

6. Conversion Stories Illustrating Moral Convictions

Keller shares conversion narratives to highlight how deep-seated moral convictions can lead individuals to recognize the existence of God:

• W.H. Auden's Conversion: Auden, an esteemed poet, shifted from atheism to Christianity during World War II, questioning the validity of secular moral systems in the face of atrocities ([03:45]).

  “If I am convinced that the highly educated Nazis are wrong and that we highly educated English are right, what is it that validates our values and invalidates theirs?” ([03:45])

• Cultural Anthropologist's Realization: A respected academic studying oppressed African societies struggles to justify her moral stance against practices like female genital mutilation without invoking a divine moral law ([03:45]).

These stories illustrate the profound impact of recognizing an objective moral foundation.

7. Paul's Argument in Romans: Relativism and Moralism

Keller provides an in-depth analysis of Paul's argument in Romans 2, breaking it down into three main points:

1. Failure of Relativism: God judges individuals based on their own moral standards, not on any external code ([03:45]).

   "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law" ([00:59]).

2. Inability of Moralists to Stand Judgment: Those who rely solely on the law (moralists) are hypocritical and cannot uphold the high standards they set for others ([03:45]).

   “You who preach against stealing, do you steal?” ([03:45]).

3. Only Hope is the Gospel: Since neither relativism nor moralism provides a sustainable moral framework, the only hope lies in the transformative power of the Gospel through a new heart ([03:45]).

Keller emphasizes that both relativists and moralists fall short, leading to the conclusion that the Gospel offers the necessary foundation for true moral living.

8. The Hope in the Gospel: New Heart through Christ

The crux of Keller's message is the transformative power of the Gospel in addressing the failures of both relativism and moralism. He explains:

• Circumcision of the Heart: Paul speaks of internal transformation rather than external adherence to laws ([03:45]).

  “A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly. Nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly” ([00:59]).

• Jesus as the Divine Judge: Jesus embodies the ultimate fulfillment of the moral law, having been judged fairly and offering salvation through His sacrifice ([24:33]).

• Living Out the Gospel: Believers no longer rely on the law to dictate behavior but are transformed by gratitude and a new heart, freeing them from hypocrisy and self-righteousness ([24:33]).

Keller concludes that the Gospel provides a sustainable moral foundation by uniting the believer with Christ, who has already faced judgment and offers grace and transformation.

9. Conclusion and Call to Action

In his closing remarks, Keller reiterates the significance of August as "Go and Share Month," encouraging listeners to take actionable steps in sharing the Gospel. He offers resources, such as copies of his book "Making Sense of God," to facilitate these conversations ([23:32]).

Keller wraps up with a prayer, emphasizing the practical application of the Gospel in living out a just and righteous life:

“By your Holy Spirit, we pray it in Jesus name. Amen.” ([24:33])

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Keller [03:45]: "How do we avoid just not shouting at each other? ... Where do you get your moral convictions about what is right and wrong?"

• Tim Keller [03:45]: “All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law.”

• Tim Keller [24:33]: "We can talk to people about these moral truths knowing that in their hearts they know, but at the same time they don't crush us."

• Tim Keller [24:33]: “In Christ, you were circumcised...you are the circumcision.”

Final Thoughts:

"Knowing Good" delves deep into the foundations of morality, challenging listeners to consider the source of their moral convictions. Through scriptural analysis, philosophical discourse, and compelling conversion stories, Tim Keller presents a robust argument for objective moral truths grounded in the Gospel. He invites believers to share this transformative hope in their everyday lives, fostering respectful and meaningful conversations about faith and purpose.

For more resources and to engage in "Go and Share Month," visit www.gospelandlife.com.