Matt Jones' Random Acts of Verbiage

A few quotes from today’s Christian Spirit class here at Regent College with Bruce Hindmarsh that I thought were particularly striking or poignant .

Martin Luther, “What to Look for and Expect in the Gospels” (1522):

When you open the book containing the gospels or read or hear how Christ comes here or there, or how someone is brought to him, you should therein perceive the sermon or the gospel through which he is coming to you, or you are being brought to him. For the preaching of the gospel is nothing else than Christ coming to us, or we being brought to him.

John Calvin, Institutes:

Faith needs the Word as much as fruit needs the living root of a tree.

Luther’s Ein’ feste Burg (“A mighty fortress is our God”) (first stanza):

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Desiderius Erasmus in Praise of Folly:

Perhaps it would be wise to pass over the theologians in silence. . . . Their opinion of themselves is so great that they behave as if they were already in heaven; they look down pityingly on other men as so many worms. A wall of imposing definitions, conclusions, corollaries, and explicit propositions protects them. . . . They are full of big words and newly-invented terms.

Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms:

I do not accept the authority of popes and councils for they have contradicted each other — my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. [ Here I stand,] God help me, [I can do no other.] Amen.

-Matt Jones