The teaching that comes from above through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is far nobler than that which is learned by human understanding through great labor.

— Johann Arndt (1555–1621), Lutherischer Theologe

Topics: The Bible & the Word of God, Wisdom & Understanding

Johann Arndt

Johann Arndt (1555–1621) war ein deutscher lutherischer Theologe, Pfarrer und Erbauungsschriftsteller, der unter anderem in Quedlinburg, Braunschweig und zuletzt als Generalsuperintendent in Celle wirkte. Er gilt mit seinen „Vier Büchern vom wahren Christentum“ als einflussreicher Wegbereiter des Pietismus, der eine praktische Verwirklichung des Glaubens betonte und spätmittelalterliche Mystik integrierte, was ihm zeitgenössische Kritik der lutherischen Orthodoxie eintrug. Heutigen Bibellesern begegnet er als Mahner zu einem Glauben, der theologische Lehre untrennbar mit persönlicher Herzensfrömmigkeit und tätiger Nächstenliebe verbindet.

All quotes by Johann Arndt (10)

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The law is divine and holy. Let the law have its glory, but yet no law, be it never so divine and holy, ought to teach me that I am justified, and shall live through it. I grant it may teach me that I ought to love God and my neighbor; also to live in love, soberness, patience, etc., but it ought not to show me how I should be delivered from sin, the devil, death, and hell. Here I must take counsel of the gospel. I must hearken to the gospel, which teaches me, not what I ought to do but what Jesus Christ the Son of God hath done for me: that He suffered and died to deliver me from sin and death. The gospel wills me to receive this, and to believe it. And this is the truth of the gospel. Most necessary it is, therefore, that we should know this article well, teach it unto others, and beat it into their heads continually.
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