Sin is still here. It is just that people do not so willingly acknowledge that fact. A spade is no longer called a spade, but some euphemism. The little boy says to his mother, “Why is it whenever I do anything bad, it’s because I’m a bad boy; but whenever you do anything bad, it’s because you’re nervous?” It is nerves rather than sin. It is our glands rather than sin. It is what we eat, the environment, our biorhythm, rather than sin, it is anything but sin. Sin denies that it is sin.
— John Gerstner (1914–1996), Theologe
Topics: Guilt & Forgiveness, Freedom & Truth, Wisdom & Understanding
Occasions: For Reflection
John Gerstner
John Gerstner (1914–1996) war ein US-amerikanischer presbyterianischer Theologe und Kirchenhistoriker, der über mehrere Jahrzehnte in Pittsburgh lehrte. Er wurde als führender Experte für Jonathan Edwards bekannt und verteidigte eine rationale, an der calvinistischen Tradition sowie der biblischen Irrtumslosigkeit ausgerichtete Apologetik. Während seine kompromisslose Kritik am Dispensationalismus und an liberalen Tendenzen scharfe Kontroversen auslöste, bieten seine Schriften bis heute Orientierung für ein historisch-reformiertes Schriftverständnis.
All quotes by John Gerstner (35)
I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditional love where it cannot be found.
Henri Nouwen
There are two ways to do good: to give and to forgive.
Augustine of Hippo
God counts on your failure far more than you do yourself.
Hans Peter Royer
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Tim Keller
Forgiveness means allowing the other person not to have to be God.
Henri Nouwen
Love keeps no record of wrongs, but bitterness keeps detailed accounts.
Craig Groeschel
John Newton
Tim Keller