Christianity Quote by Timothy Keller
““Self-control. Moralists tell us to control our passions out of fear of punishment. This is a volition-based approach. Relativists tell us to express ourselves and find out what is right for us. This is an emotion-based approach. The gospel tells us that the free, unshakable grace of God “teaches us to say ‘No’ “to our passions (Titus 2:12) if we will only listen to it. It gives us new appetites and affections.5 The gospel leads us to a whole-person approach that begins with truth descending into the heart.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Reason for God by Timothy Keller, 2008
The gospel offers a whole‑person transformation that reshapes desires, beyond moral control or personal relativism, by teaching new appetites rooted in truth.
In simple terms: God’s grace changes our hearts, not just our behavior.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth that transforms desire.
Themes
spiritual growth
holistic transformation
grace
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal decision‑making
- relationship counseling
- church teaching
- self‑discipline
- spiritual formation
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does truth become a heart‑changing force?
- What role does community play in sustaining new appetites?
A Different Perspective
May not fully address deep‑seated psychological patterns without additional support.
![“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)
