“Man’s religion” does not deal honestly, either with God or with himself. He is obliged to give a much better representation of himself than the case warrants. He is obliged to profess to be what he thinks he ought to be, and what he supposes God wishes him to be. He practices deceit upon his own conscience; and he tries to practice the same deceit upon God. The whole of man’s religion may be said to be founded upon this dishonest dealing.
— Horatius Bonar (1808–1889), Pastor
Topics: Freedom & Truth, Humility & Pride
Occasions: For Reflection
Horatius Bonar
Horatius Bonar (1808–1889) war ein schottischer presbyterianischer Pastor und Mitbegründer der Free Church of Scotland, der in Kelso und Edinburgh wirkte. Bekannt als produktiver Liederdichter und theologischer Autor, betonte er die stellvertretende Sühne Christi und geriet durch die Einführung von Kirchenliedern sowie seine Unterstützung für Dwight L. Moody in innerkirchliche Debatten. Heutigen Bibellesern begegnet er vor allem durch seine geistlichen Lieder sowie seelsorgerliche Schriften zur Rechtfertigung allein aus Gnade und zum Trost im Leiden.
All quotes by Horatius Bonar (32)
The Father’s love does not force itself on the beloved.
Henri Nouwen
Martin Luther King Jr.
In essential unity; in nonessentials liberty; in all this charity.
Rupertus Meldenius
Tim Keller
William Temple
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was yourself.
Diane H. Moody
Don't allow anybody to make you feel that you're nobody.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.
Søren Kierkegaard