Quote of the Day

He argued with no one about "problems" in the biblical text or in the Christian faith.  Not good could come of it. Those who raised such problems had not yet felt the weight of their sin or of their need for a Redeemer.  Mere intellectual jousting would solve no issue in their minds, for the Scripture is not given in order that the vain philosophical cavils of resistant intellects might be satisfied, but that wounded consciences might be shown a perfect Redeemer.  

From the book: Living By Revealed Truth: The Life and Pastoral Theology of Charles Haddon Spurgeon by Thomas Nettles

Quote of the Day

A good or bad defense of the faith may be helpful or unhelpful, but in each case that is only corroborative.  The Christian faith is not true because someone argues for it brilliantly, nor is it false because someone defends it badly.  Christian faith is true or false regardless of anyone's defense of the faith.  Faith's certainty lies elsewhere than in the rapier sharp logic or the sledgehammer power of the apologist.  At the end of the day, full certainty comes from the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

- Os Guinness
from his book:  Fool's Talk:  Recovering the Art of Christian Persuasion

Quote of the Day

It has been well said, "Nothing is easier than to doubt.  A man of moderate ability or learning can doubt more than the wisest men believe."  Faith demands knowledge, for it is an intelligent grace, able and anxious to justify itself; but infidelity is not required to give a reason for the doubt that is in it; a defiant mien and a blustering tone answer its purpose.  The acme of unbelief is to know nothing.  What is this but the apotheosis of ignorance.  A man may glide into agnosticism insensibly, and remain in it languidly; but to believe is to be alive.  Those who think faith to be a childish business will have to make considerable advance toward manliness before they are able to test their own theory.

- Charles Spurgeon

Quote of the Day

The Empty Tomb

A Mohommedan once said to a missionary:

"We have our Prophet's tomb to show,

but you have nothing."

Earth's Meccas and the faiths of men

Hold but a corpse within a tomb;

Each weary pilgrim's journey ends

At some sad shrine of grief and gloom.

Earth's prophets rest, in silence wrapped,

Dust in the dust from whence they came;

By Death's chill wind their torches quenched,

No more to kindle into flame.

Earth's priests in solemn splendour sleep,

Ashes to ashes, robed and stoled;

Their chanted prayers forever hushed,

Their altar fires forever cold.

Earth's kings in state and glory lie,

In crypts of porphyry encased;

Their names and deeds, in marble carved,

Time's blurring touch has half erased.

No mausoleum built by man

Entombs our Prophet, Priest and King;

Our love no pilgrimage need make,

No fading votive garlands bring.

No death could kill, no gaurd could keep,

No seal could stay, no grave could hold

Immortal Life in mortal clay;

No darkness could the Light enfold.

Our Prophet's word shall come to pass,

Our Priest is interceding still;

Our King shall reign forevermore,

While heaven and earth shall do his will.

"No grave to show"? This is the stone

On which the temples of our faith

Rise higher than the mosques of Ind;

Our Living Lord has counquered Death!

 

Annie Johnson Flint

Quote of the Day

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. 

C. S. Lewis