Category Archives: History

Patience Measured in Years

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I was reading in Hebrews 6 this morning, noting its exhortations to be diligent in faith and patience….

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9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook a your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. [emphasis added to esv]

Little did I remember (until spotting the ESVSB notes) that old Abraham waited 25 years for the promise about a son to be fulfilled (cf. Gen. 12:4 & 21:5). Twenty-five YEARS.

How grossly impatient we appear in light of this!
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Ten Lessons from Great Christian Minds

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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.
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