The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.
Thomas Aquinas (13th century): God has made himself known in nature.
Jonathan Edwards (18th century): God is beautiful, and all beauty is divine.
Born in Prussia in 1380 to a peasant family, Thomas a 'Kempis entered a monastery in the Netherlands at age 20. As a monk he penned the great classic Of the Imitation of Christ, which has been translated into more languages than any other book except the Bible. The theme of the book regards how to faithfully follow Christ, but more specifically it is focused on humility and self-denial, the defining characteristics of Christ, as we learn in Philippians 2:5-11, where Paul tells us to imitate Christ in being a radical servant. If even the God-man refused to lay claim to his rights, then what does this say about the approach we should take? a’Kempis unpacks this theme in profound ways that will transform your life if you put them into practice.*
John Wesley (18th century): Be disciplined and make the best use of your time.
but the word of our God endures forever.
Isaiah 40:8
Lesson's from great Christian minds from the 5th Century on...
Augustine (5th century): Remember that you are a citizen of another kingdom.
Martin Luther (16th century): Expect politicians to be corrupt.
John Calvin (16th century): God is sovereign over all, including our suffering.
Thomas a’Kempis (15th century): Practice self-denial with a passion.
Fyodor Dostoevsky (19th century): God’s grace can reach anyone.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (20th century): Beware of cheap grace.
Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock *
Alvin Plantinga (21st century): Moral virtue is crucial for intellectual health.
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