Ten Lessons from Great Christian Minds

robin-hood-statueFrom philosophy professor James Spiegel (via JT):

Augustine (5th century): Remember that you are a citizen of another kingdom.

Martin Luther (16th century): Expect politicians to be corrupt.

Thomas Aquinas (13th century): God has made himself known in nature.

John Calvin (16th century): God is sovereign over all, including our suffering.

Jonathan Edwards (18th century): God is beautiful, and all beauty is divine.

Thomas a’Kempis (15th century): Practice self-denial with a passion.

John Wesley (18th century): Be disciplined and make the best use of your time.

Fyodor Dostoevsky (19th century): God’s grace can reach anyone.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (20th century): Beware of cheap grace.

Alvin Plantinga (21st century): Moral virtue is crucial for intellectual health.

Read the whole post to get the bigger picture.
pdb

Jonah & His Big God…

Adrian Warnock reports & summarizes a message by Liam Goligher on Jonah 1, delivered in the UK around April 5. You know the story, but should be refreshed by these excerpts from Liam (via Adrian)….

ht_beluga_whale1_061022_ssh

This is a very familiar story. Some people say its an allegory or parable. But parables are usually basic. The story itself has historical and geographical elements. Whoever wrote it seemed to want us to believe that this was a real event. It assumes historical correctness. Jesus likens himself to Jonah and spoke of the people of Ninevah as real people who really repented. Jesus took it seriously, so if we want to follow him so should we.

Salvation is of the Lord. God’s sovereingty is stressed here. God appointed the wind, the ship, the whale. There is a commission, and a recommission, and the sailors are saved, and the ninevites are saved. There are two prayers of Jonah – one greatful for his own salvation, one bitter when the foreigners were saved. Its beautifully structured, full of humour irony, etc. Jonah is a ridiculous figure. He is like a skulky, pouting, spotty teenager. Continue reading