Why does Tim Keller think the Cross is all about giving up power?

Tim Keller tweeted recently something that confused a lot of people on the relationship between the gospel, the cross, and power. What was he trying to communicate?

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[katiesmith]

One thing I’ll say about the “Jesus laid down his rights/power” crowd is that, in my experience, they forget that Jesus submitted to God, not to the will of the Roman government or the religious of the day. Evangelical leaders, or the Great Reset pastors, as you call them, John, love to use those verses to club Christians over the head into complying with unbiblical ideas.

[stephenfennell]

"I lay down my life, *that I might take it again*. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and *I have power to take it again*. John 10:17, 18

[CGGeary]

Even my brother, who's never really expressed Christian discernment vocally before, saw that tweet and immediately knew that was off wholesale

[KarinAllison]

While it's true that Christ left the glory of heaven for us, and took on human form and became a servant, the point of the cross is not giving up rights or power. The latter makes for a great call to submission though - problem is, they want you to submit to secular power schemes, and to people who do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord, but themselves. THEY want to "do justice". This is the problem. (There's something diabolical when non-Christians smile and say, "Remember - your lord is all about meekness and submission, and like a lamb before his shearer was silent." They love that part of scripture. They don't intend to obey any other parts of it.)

[kateharrison]

Yes! Just saw this tweet a few hours ago and was 😯😬🤦🏻‍♀️.

[timothykennedy]

I appreciate respecting Keller's physical ailments, and I hate to point it out, but EVERYONE that is walking around is dying. Keller may be facing the Lord sooner than most of us, but that doesn't remove the Judgement. Either a person is justified or not. Keller has many false teachings, his statements were made publicly, and any retraction or repentance should be made similarly. If he is truly saved, and I'm not saying he is or isn't, then this is the time for him to do what is right, in line with scripture.

[MetroplexAerials]

So, I posted this verse as a reply to his tweet. I think that his tweet directly contradicts Paul’s words in Romans 1:

Romans 1:16 KJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

[JP_M]

The cross is about taking away the power sin and death have over the children of God and therefore is primarily a power play that glorifys God. There is much more I could say about this but want to keep this short and sweet. It appears T.K. lacks a basic beginner level understanding of the cross and that is the most generous interpretation of his tweet.

[timothykennedy]

The Cross was about gaining power over death, the death from sin. So, there is that.

[mary-janechambers]

Why does Keller get his theology from progressive thinkers instead of from the plain meaning of the scriptures? They are not even his own thoughts.

[eternallyfearless]

I found his tweet not only Biblically questionable but way too vague & potentially misleading. I quote tweeted this response yesterday:

Jesus submitted His will to the Father in going to the cross. He didn’t give up His power- He did this act willingly. Believers are commanded to give up our will (we don’t have actual “power” outside of the Spirit residing in us) in submission to Christ. This primarily involves obeying & abiding in His Word, regardless of the cost.

Giving up “power” (ie our wills) to those who are in the Spirit & are committed to shepherding us, whether it is a husband or church leader, when we have strayed from righteous living, is a normal part of existing within the Church Body.

However, the giving of “power” to those who are NOT in the Spirit is an exercise in pointlessness at best, a prelude to abuse, exploitation & tyranny at worst. Those who are not in the Spirit & have attained considerable worldly “power” are very likely beholden to any # of sins.

These include the innumerable lies the Western world has been subjected to as of late, the slandering of political enemies, division of people by race or sex, the murder of preborn infants, etc.

When does giving up “power” to those who operate by sinful means, become sinful?

[sew.]

Hey John - just submitted my order for the 3 book deal. Looking forward to it!

[ClaireGEN]

I think the good news is that we use the power that God has given us for His good and glory. Jesus’ power was completely within Him when He died. No need to give it up!

[carolberubee]

The Cross is all about Christ destroying the power of sin and death. Yes, He suffered all the way to the Cross, but the Cross is all about God displaying His righteousness, and the Gospel of Christ crucified and risen is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16-17).

[cavalier]

The result of dying on the cross was Jesus receiving all authority in heaven and on earth.

[alexzcujo]

I guess the question that follows is to whom did He give up the power ?

[kzuk]

Well said. I have been told that I cannot be critical of Keller’s teaching (false by the way on many fronts) because he is dying of cancer. We are all dying, doesnt excuse us from being sound teachers of the Word.

[dabhidhm]

The idea that the example of Cross is of giving up power is a worldly and materialistic perspective, worthy of a Marxist.

[jepprey]

I bought AD’s book a while back, but then read the Dorean principle after his interview with Conley. Have you read it yet and I would love to see you interview him as well.

[kzuk]

Again, about Keller’s view here…we have to include discussions on the two natures of Jesus, human and divine. His incarnation was an addition, not a subtraction: the Son didn’t give up any of his divine powers when he became man.