What is God's Wrath? A Comprehensive Answer Based on the Bible

Is Tim Keller Weak on Wrath?

In 2008, Tim Keller published his book The Reason For God, which sparked controversy among some Christians who accused him of having a weak view of God's wrath. This accusation was primarily because of his approach to preaching the gospel, which focused more on the love and grace of God than on His wrath and judgement.

Over the years, many people have raised concerns about Keller's teaching, arguing that he fails to emphasize the importance of God's wrath and judgement in the gospel message. But is this really true? Is Tim Keller weak on wrath? In this article, we will explore this question and provide a comprehensive answer based on the teachings of the Bible.

What is God's Wrath?

Before we can answer the question of whether Tim Keller is weak on wrath, we need to understand what the Bible teaches about God's wrath. The wrath of God is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The wrath of God is His righteous anger and judgement against sin and evil.

In Romans 1:18, the Apostle Paul writes, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." In this verse, Paul is saying that God's wrath is revealed against those who suppress the truth of God in their unrighteousness.

Similarly, in Ephesians 5:6, Paul writes, "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." Here, Paul is warning the Ephesian Christians that the wrath of God is coming upon those who disobey God's commands.

From these verses, we can see that the wrath of God is a real and powerful force that is revealed against sin and unrighteousness. It is not something to be taken lightly, but rather something to be feared and respected.

Tim Keller's View of God's Wrath

Now that we have established what the Bible teaches about God's wrath, let's turn our attention to Tim Keller's view of this important topic. In his book The Reason For God, Keller does not downplay the importance of God's wrath. Instead, he presents a balanced view of the gospel message that includes both God's love and His wrath.

For example, Keller writes, "The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself nor less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less."

Here, Keller is emphasizing the fact that the gospel message includes both our sinfulness and God's love. He is not downplaying the importance of God's wrath, but rather presenting a holistic view of the gospel message that includes both love and judgement.

Similarly, in his book The Prodigal God, Keller writes, "The gospel of Jesus is not religion or irreligion, morality or immorality, conservatism or liberalism. Nor is it something halfway along a spectrum between two poles. Rather it is something else altogether: a new type of spirituality based on a new way of relating to God. The gospel is not about choosing to follow advice, it is about being called to follow a King. It's not about being good, it's about being forgiven. It's not about trying to be better, it's about being made new."

Here, Keller is emphasizing that the gospel message is not just about morality or being good, but about being forgiven and made new. He is not neglecting the importance of God's wrath, but rather presenting the gospel message in a way that focuses on the love and grace of God.

Does Tim Keller Neglect the Importance of God's Wrath?

Based on the above quotes from Tim Keller's books, it is clear that he does not neglect the importance of God's wrath. He presents a balanced view of the gospel message that includes both love and judgement.

Furthermore, in his sermons and teachings, Keller often emphasizes the reality of God's wrath and judgement. For example, in a sermon on Romans 2:1-16, Keller says, "The wrath of God is not an abstract concept. It is not just some theoretical doctrine that you can debate. The wrath of God is a reality that will be experienced by every person who rejects the grace of God."

Here, Keller is emphasizing the fact that the wrath of God is a real and tangible reality that will be experienced by those who reject God's grace. He is not neglecting the importance of God's wrath, but rather warning his listeners of its reality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is not accurate to say that Tim Keller is weak on wrath. He presents a balanced view of the gospel message that includes both love and judgement, and he often emphasizes the reality of God's wrath in his sermons and teachings.

As Christians, we should strive to present a balanced view of the gospel message that includes both God's love and His wrath. We should not neglect the importance of God's wrath, but rather present it in a way that is faithful to the teachings of the Bible.

Ultimately, the gospel message is about God's love and grace, but this love and grace are only fully appreciated when we understand the reality of God's wrath and judgement. May we all strive to present the gospel message in a way that is faithful to the teachings of the Bible and honors God's love and justice.