A paradox is an apparent contradiction. Grace and truth aren’t really contradictory. Jesus didn’t switch on truth, then turn it off so He could switch on grace. Both are permanently switched on in Jesus. Both should be switched on in us… Truth without grace breeds a self-righteousness legalism that poisons the church and pushes the world from Christ. Grace without truth breeds moral indifference and keeps people from seeing their need for Christ. Attempts to “soften” the gospel by minimizing truth keep people from Jesus. Attempts to “toughen” the gospel by minimizing grace keep people from Jesus. It’s not enough for us to offer grace or truth. We must offer both.

Randy Alcorn (b. 1954), US-amerikanischer christlicher Bestsellerautor und ehemaliger Pastor

Related Bible passage: JHN.1.14

Topics: Freedom & Truth, Grace & Redemption, Church & Congregation

Occasions: For Reflection

Randy Alcorn

Randy Alcorn (* 1954) ist ein US-amerikanischer evangelikaler Theologe, Bestsellerautor und ehemaliger Pastor aus Oregon, der seit 1990 die Organisation „Eternal Perspective Ministries“ leitet. Bekanntheit erlangte er mit Büchern über den Himmel und christliche Haushalterschaft, während sein Engagement in der Lebensrechtsbewegung Ende der 1980er-Jahre zu Festnahmen und einer zivilrechtlichen Verurteilung nach Klinikblockaden führte. Heutigen Bibellesern vermittelt sein Werk eine systematische Beschäftigung mit der biblischen Zukunftshoffnung und regt zu materieller Großzügigkeit sowie einem einfachen Lebensstil an.

All quotes by Randy Alcorn (65)

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