Sermons and Biblical Studies

It is not by nature that man is hostile and opposed to God. He is of course in fact so opposed, but only by acts of rejection, by an abuse of nature. But all man’s perversity cannot make wrong what God has wrought as good by nature. Karl Barth

The term “conspiracy” should not be applied to us but rather to those who plot to foment hatred against decent and worthy people, those who shout for the blood of the innocent and plead forsooth in justification of their hatred the foolish excuse that the Christians are to blame for every public disaster and every … Continue reading “OPPOSITION
TO CHRISTIANITY”

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. Albert Einstein

I am not sure which of the two occupies the lower sphere, he who hungers for money or he who thirsts for applause. J.H. Jowett

The man who never alters his opinions is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind. William Blake

An obstinate man does not hold opinions – they hold him. Author unknown

How blessed is he who reaches the fourth degree of love, wherein one loves himself only in God! Thy righteousness standeth like the strong mountains, O God. Such love as this is God’s hill, in the which it pleaseth Him to dwell. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?” “O that I had … Continue reading “CHAPTER
X – OF THE FOURTH DEGREE OF LOVE: WHEREIN MAN DOES NOT EVEN LOVE SELF SAVE FOR
GOD’S SAKE”

So then in the beginning man loves God, not for God’s sake, but for his own. It is something for him to know how little he can do by himself and how much by God’s help, and in that knowledge to order himself rightly towards God, his sure support. But when tribulations, recurring again and … Continue reading “CHAPTER
IX – OF THE SECOND AND THIRD DEGREES OF LOVE”

Love is one of the four natural affections, which it is needless to name since everyone knows them. And because love is natural, it is only right to love the Author of nature first of all. Hence comes the first and great commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God.” But nature is so frail … Continue reading “CHAPTER
VIII – OF THE FIRST DEGREE OF LOVE: WHEREIN MAN LOVES GOD FOR SELF’S SAKE”

How much God deserves love from man in recognition of His gifts, both material and spiritual: and how these gifts should be cherished without neglect of the Giver Those who admit the truth of what I have said know, I am sure, why we are bound to love God. But if unbelievers will not grant … Continue reading “CHAPTER
II – ON LOVING GOD”