“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).
Shrink-Wrapped Reformation
“Whenever a great change is brought about by men of vision, who do not love the sounds of compromise, the fruits of that victory are commonly parceled out by men who come bustling up ten minutes after the battle (a battle they solemnly warned against), all eager now to share in the spoil. First thing …
Context Matters
“Utterly forgiven, and all by God’s grace in Christ, the early Protestants could scrutinize their failings and sins. All this done in much the same way that a boy might study an ugly tooth that had caused him so much pain . . . after it was out” (For Kirk and Covenant, p. 114).
Before Lawless Thrones
“A man must be meek before God before he can stand upright before lawless thrones. How can an arrogant prophet rebuke an arrogant king?” (For Kirk and Covenant, p. 113).
Careful . . .
“Although a firm believer in predestination, he did not fall into the errors of those who get hold of only one end of a truth, and who then wave it around until they hurt themselves” (For Kirk and Covenant, p. 105).
A Different Task Entirely
“The early Protestant preachers did not think their message was to get the sick patients to take their medicine. They saw their task as one of preaching in a graveyard, praying for a resurrection” (For Kirk and Covenant, p. 95).
Use the Right Standard
“Whenever we take the measure and weight of any man, we must be sure to use the canons and balances of heaven” (For Kirk and Covenant, p. 89).
Over Hill and Dale
“When Christ and the apostles preached, the established religious authorities were on the scene asking what appears to be their favorite question” ‘By what authority?’ John the Baptist was an eccentric hill preacher, Caiaphas had better establishment credentials than Jesus, and the Sanhedrin was amazed that men so obviously uneducated as the apostles could say …
And That Means Publishing Books
“Because the business of the Church is to multiply sound teaching, this means that we should be about our business — utilizing all available means. The early Christians were accused of filling Jerusalem with their doctrine (Acts 5:28). Isn’t it about time we were accused of doing something similar? (Mother Kirk, p. 259).
Teachers Must Be Students
“In order to teach, the Church must first be taught. Writers must be readers. ‘A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself’ (Prov. 18:2). The Church will never have a shortage of people who want to ‘say a few words.’ But mere talk, or writing, or publishing, is worthless. …