Martin Luther said to P. Melanchthon, when the latter showed him the nativity of Cicero from the stars: “Esau and Jacob were born of the same father and mother, at the same time, and under the same planets, but their nature was wholly different. You would persuade me that astrology is a true science!” (Cited … Continue reading “ASTROLOGY, REFUTATION OF”
APOSTATE
One writer said of apostates, “One is reminded by way of contrast with the Lord, whom these men deny. He is the rock of our salvation; they are hidden rocks, threatening shipwreck to the faith. He comes with clouds to refresh his people forever; they are clouds that do not even bring temporary blessing. He … Continue reading “APOSTATE”
APOSTASY, DEVELOPMENT OF
A story is told of a man who, resisting the cost of oats he fed his mule, decided to gradually substitute sawdust in its diet. Everything went fine for a while—but by the time the mule was satisfied with sawdust, he died. The same is true spiritually. The changeover from truth to error is sometimes … Continue reading “APOSTASY, DEVELOPMENT OF”
APOLOGETICS, LIMITS OF
Voltaire is reported to have said, “If a miracle occurred in the market place of Paris and in the presence of two thousand men, I would rather disbelieve my own eyes than the two thousand.” Facts alone, irrespective of how well they are presented, will never bring a man to Christ.29
APATHY TOWARD GOD
I looked upon a farm one day, that once I used to own; the barn had fallen to the ground, the fields were overgrown. The house in which my children grew, where we had lived for years … I turned to see it broked down, and brushed aside the tears. I looked upon my soul … Continue reading “APATHY TOWARD GOD”
APATHY TOWARD EVANGELISM
One Sunday, a minister began his sermon in this way: “I’d like to make three points today. First, there are millions of people around the world who are going to hell. Second, most of us sitting here today do not give a damn about it.” After a lengthy pause he continued: “My third point is … Continue reading “APATHY TOWARD EVANGELISM”
ANTINOMY
J. I. Packer uses the following illustration of the antinomy of divine sovereignty and human responsibility: “Modern physics faces an antinomy, in this sense, in its study of light. There is cogent evidence to show that light consists of waves, and equally cogent evidence to show that it consists of particles. It is not apparent … Continue reading “ANTINOMY”
ANGER WITHOUT SIN
Anyone can become angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, and in the right way—that is not easy.22
ANGER, UNCONTROLLED
Alexander the Great was one of the few men in history who seemed to deserve his descriptive title. He was energetic, versatile, and intelligent. Although hatred was not generally part of his nature, several times in his life he was tragically defeated by anger. The story is told of one of these occasions, when a … Continue reading “ANGER, UNCONTROLLED”
ANGER, RIGHTEOUS
“A man that does not know how to be angry does not know how to be good. A man that does not know how to be shaken to his heart’s core with indignation over things evil is either a fungus or a wicked man” (H. W. Beecher).20