cover of episode Praying Our Guilt
People
D
Dr. Timothy Keller
Topics
Dr. Timothy Keller 在这篇讲道中探讨了罪恶感和羞耻感，以及如何通过祈祷来处理这些情感。他指出，纽约的罪恶感和羞耻感可能比其他地方更普遍，因为纽约有很多成功人士，他们被对失败或无价值的恐惧所驱使。他将诗篇130篇中的罪恶感和羞耻感比作一个洞，并展示了从中解脱出来的方法，包括：1）罪恶感和羞耻感的‘沉陷’；2）提供的‘绳索’（上帝的帮助）；3）‘攀爬’（走出罪恶感和羞耻感）的过程。他解释了罪恶感和羞耻感的区别，罪恶感关注于具体的行为违反，而羞耻感则关注于自身的不足和对理想自我的失败。他认为，现代文化提倡个人决定对错，这在一定程度上减少了罪恶感，但并没有消除羞耻感。他指出，即使摆脱了规则和罪恶感，人们仍然会感到羞耻，因为他们无法达到自己渴望的荣耀（重要性和价值）。他引用了贝克尔和卡夫卡的观点，说明每个人都有一种深层的无价值感，驱使人们追求英雄般的成就以应对这种恐惧。他强调，我们需要客观的道德标准来判断自己的罪恶感是否真实，而上帝的视角是判断罪恶感的唯一标准。他还指出，除了客观的道德标准，还需要新的救赎者（上帝）来帮助我们摆脱羞耻感。他解释了如何通过等待、充满希望地等待、在群体中等待以及敬畏地等待来走出罪恶感和羞耻感。他强调，我们需要改变希望的寄托，将希望寄托在上帝身上，而不是其他事物。他最后指出，耶稣的爱能够治愈我们的羞耻感，因为他了解我们的一切，并且仍然爱我们。 Dr. Timothy Keller 详细解释了诗篇130篇中表达的罪恶感和羞耻感，以及如何通过认识到上帝的标准和上帝的救赎来克服这些情感。他指出，许多人即使知道上帝的爱和饶恕，仍然无法摆脱羞耻感，是因为他们没有将上帝作为真正的救赎者。他解释了希望在圣经中的含义，以及人们如何通过追求事业、家庭等方式来获得意义和价值，以应对内心的无价值感。他指出，如果我们无法自我饶恕，是因为我们把希望寄托在错误的事物上。他强调，我们需要改变希望的寄托，将希望寄托在上帝身上。他解释了如何通过等待、充满希望地等待、在群体中等待以及敬畏地等待来走出罪恶感和羞耻感。他最后总结了摆脱罪恶感和羞耻感的三个步骤：认识到罪恶感和羞耻感的存在，找到客观的道德标准和新的救赎者，并经历一个过程。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why might guilt and shame be more prevalent in places like New York?

New York has many successful people who are often driven by a fear of failure and unworthiness, making guilt and shame more acute.

What does Psalm 130 compare guilt and shame to?

Guilt and shame are likened to a sinkhole, something one has sunk into, with a rope provided to help climb out.

What are the three stages discussed in Psalm 130 regarding guilt and shame?

The three stages are: 1) the sinkhole of guilt and shame, 2) the rope provided to those sinking, and 3) the process of climbing out.

Why do religious people often avoid admitting their feelings?

Religious people may fear admitting feelings because they believe God's blessing depends on their good record, making it psychologically difficult to face their true emotions.

What is the difference between guilt and shame according to the Bible?

Guilt is about breaking specific rules (innocence is its opposite), while shame is about failing to meet a personal or societal ideal (glory is its opposite).

Why do people still feel shame even if they don't feel guilty?

People feel shame because they still aspire to be significant or heroic, but without clear moral standards, they can't address their sense of unworthiness.

What does the rope represent in dealing with guilt and shame?

The rope represents two things: an objective moral standard and a new redeemer, which together provide a way out of the sinkhole of guilt and shame.

Why is an objective moral standard necessary for dealing with guilt?

An objective moral standard allows one to distinguish between true guilt (which should be confessed) and false guilt (which should be resisted), providing clarity and resolution.

What is the significance of verse 8 in Psalm 130?

Verse 8 emphasizes that God Himself will redeem Israel from all their sins, highlighting the need for a new redeemer who can provide unfailing love and full redemption.

What is the process of climbing out of the sinkhole of guilt and shame?

The process involves waiting patiently, expectantly, in community, and fearfully, understanding that change is gradual and requires reliance on God's unfailing love.

Chapters
This chapter explores the prevalence of guilt and shame, particularly in New York City, attributing it to the city's high number of driven and successful individuals who are acutely affected by the fear of failure and unworthiness. It introduces Psalm 130's depiction of guilt and shame as a 'sinkhole' and the subsequent path to redemption.
  • High prevalence of guilt and shame among successful New Yorkers
  • Fear of failure and unworthiness as driving forces
  • Psalm 130 likens guilt and shame to a sinkhole

Shownotes Transcript

Guilt and shame, having your heart broken under a sense of failure and general unworthiness—I feel this is probably more rampant in places like New York than anywhere else. Do you know why? Because we have so many successful people in New York, people who, in many ways are driven more acutely than other people by this fear of failure or unworthiness. 

In Psalm 130, we see guilt and shame likened to a hole, to something we’ve sunk down in. And then we’re shown a way out that’s available for a person who’s in that hole of guilt and shame. And then we see a little bit about the process of how you climb out. 

So let’s look at: 1) sinkhole of guilt and shame, 2) the rope that’s given to a person sinking in guilt and shame, and 3) the climb out.

This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on March 12, 2000. Series: Psalms – The Songs of Jesus. Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8.

Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give) and making a one-time or recurring donation.