“Many modern readers of history fail to see the catholicity of the Reformation. In no way did the reformers desire to found ‘a denomination’ in the modern sense; rather, they desired the reformation of the one Church. They were one party within the Church; the other party was the papal faction” (For Kirk and Covenant, …
The Key to Eternal Relevance
“Examining the economic pronouncements of the church leaders, one is reminded of Chesterton’s remark that the morality of most moralists has been ‘one solid and polished cataract of platitudes flowing forever and ever.’ Having convinced themselves, rightly, that the biblical tradition has much to say about economics, the church intellectuals make theological statements serve as …
Why Dead Fish Always Swim Downstream
“The historicist mentality finds it difficult to consider the possibility that a dominant trend may be evil, and thus stands ready to embrace anything that will confer contemporaneity on itself” (Herbert Schlossberg, Idols for Destruction, p. 237).
Obedience a Two-Way Street
“It is easy to have strong views on the subject of authority, but these usually come up when we are considering how someone else ought to be obeying us. When we turn to consider those that we should be obeying, our ardor sometimes dims” (For Kirk and Covenant, p. 129).
Shouldn’t Be Surprised Anymore
“From the time that Aaron, the first high priest, acceded to the people’s wish by casting a golden calf (Ex. 32), the religious leadership has always prepared the way for apostasy” (Herbert Schlossberg, Idols for Destruction, p. 232).
Our Enemy the State
“Modern statism is the soured remnant of the Enlightenment idea of inevitable progress. This miserable wreckage, which once heralded joyfully the coming of the secular version of the kingdom of God, now hoarsely wheezes that if we worship it we shall receive salvation from extinction. The danger is not to be taken lightly. Woebegone as …
Humorless Reformers
“Few things are more terrible in human society than the humorless reformer . . . a man who cannot see what he most needs to see, which his own contribution to the problem. In this vain and fallen world, a man who cannot laugh has no business undertaking to cure the world’s ills, because he …
Because the Fearful Have a Choke-Chain On
“The entire ‘exhaustion-of-resources’ syndrome is one huge apology for totalitarian control over the citizens” (Herbert Schlossberg, Idols for Destruction, p. 224).
Depends on What You’re Conserving
“Conservatives of practically all types, like Wills and Will, fall all over each other exalting the prerogatives of the idol state. That is why when they take power from avowed social democratic parties—as in Sweden, Britain and the United States—there are no fundamental changes. They go with the tide; an electorate that demands the property …
Whatever That Was
“However, it was not merely academic; because it was the work of the Spirit of God, the Reformation was scholarship on fire. In many respects, it was an essential part of the Renaissance, whatever that was” (For Kirk and Covenant, p. 121).