A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (1970)

Case 10 shelf 2

Case 10 shelf 2

O Salmo 23 à luz das experiências de um pastor de ovelhas.
Este livro devocional conta uma das passagens da Bíblia mais conhecidas e queridas: o Salmo 23. Através de experiências e conhecimentos das Escrituras, o autor conduz o leitor aos pastos verdejantes e águas tranquilas do salmo. Os leitores serão agraciados com diversos ensinamentos valiosos.
Os cristãos se sentirão inspirados e revigorados através do amor de Cristo. Leia o livro com os olhos do pastor de ovelhas e sinta como seu coração.

This dated book (published in the'70s) is written by a pastor who had worked as a shepherd in Africa and elsewhere and who applies his knowledge of the herding of sheep for practical interpretation of the 23rd Psalm. Each chapter of the book (twelve in all) takes a line from the Psalm and discusses it in detail from the perspective of the sheep or the shepherd. Keller's audience is obviously those who are Christians but he is trying to reach out to Christians who would be sympathetic to nonbelievers and the Gospel message of Jesus Christ for those who had yet to cultivate a deeper personal relationship and spiritual connection by means of the Holy Spirit.
Keller actually says that his book is the first one to be published by an actual shepherd. Some strange things are said in the process of his reflections on Christ as a Good Shepherd. He says that some of his friends are the most talented and respected scientists and professors in the country but they too have an unsatisfied spiritual thirst for God which only Christ can satiate. Here he is referring to the conclusion that being a Christian does not guarantee a prosperous life or a life without soul destroying pain and hardship. He also says that "the Beats" (beatniks and hippies) also have a tendency to live indulgent and dissolute lives. This is a book with warnings about a world at large and our western culture specifically which even then was growing anti-Christian. But rather than adopt an attitude of fear and resentment about the unsympathetic elements to living a Christian life in the world, Keller opts for a quiet peaceful confidence in Jesus as a sheep would for its good and faithful shepherd.
This theme of Christ as shepherd has been taken up by other preachers since Keller's book and it seems to have been a handy approach to keep people's attention. I've heard a few like reflections on the internet by some who may not have even known of the existence of Keller's book. This short work would be categorized under: Christian Living, Devotionals, Biblical Reflections, and Self Help. I was given this book as a gift and it was a very fast read during Lent 2021. ( )

" live ever aware of God's presence." ( )