Keller introduces a liberating truth: 'It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you.' Using the metaphor of grabbing a branch while falling off a cliff, he shows that even weak faith in something strong (Christ) saves, while strong faith in something weak cannot. This insight demolishes the misconception that perfect certainty must precede commitment. The key phrase is that salvation depends on Christ's sufficiency, not our confidence. Keller illustrates this with people who came to Jesus with desperate, doubt-filled faith ('I believe; help my unbelief!') yet found healing. This reframes faith not as an achievement to attain but as a relationship to enter, making Christianity accessible to doubters and questioners rather than just the certain. | Timothy Keller | The Reason for God

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Faith's Object Matters More Than Its Strength

Keller introduces a liberating truth: 'It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you.' Using the metaphor of grabbing a branch while falling off a cliff, he shows that even weak faith in something strong (Christ) saves, while strong faith in something weak cannot. This insight demolishes the misconception that perfect certainty must precede commitment. The key phrase is that salvation depends on Christ's sufficiency, not our confidence. Keller illustrates this with people who came to Jesus with desperate, doubt-filled faith ('I believe; help my unbelief!') yet found healing. This reframes faith not as an achievement to attain but as a relationship to enter, making Christianity accessible to doubters and questioners rather than just the certain.

-- Timothy Keller