Child of god Quote by Timothy Keller
“In every other religion the indicative flows from the imperative. Which means, ‘because I do, therefore I am... because I do this, therefore I’m a child of God.’ But only in Christianity does the imperative flow from the indicative. ‘Because I am in Christ all these things, therefore I obey.’ Exactly the opposite.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Reason for God by Timothy Keller, 2008
Christianity uniquely grounds obedience in identity, unlike other faiths where actions define self.
In simple terms: Christianity ties actions to being in Christ, not the reverse.
Key Takeaway
Recognize identity in Christ before actions.
Themes
theology
identity
obedience
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal faith
- church teaching
- spiritual formation
Key Concepts
Christian doctrine
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does identity shape obedience?
- Can actions ever define self?
A Different Perspective
May overlook cultural diversity of religious experience.
![“24 A few pages later, Delbanco writes the following: [Alexis de] Tocqueville’s detection of a “strange melancholy in the midst of abundance” has a special salience today — because while we have gotten very good at deconstructing old stories (the religion that was the subject of my first chapter…” quote by Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85a/timothy-keller-240_sad_24-a-few-pages-later-delbanco-writes-the_25320.jpg)
