For if [a Christian] cannot thank and praise God as well in calamities and sufferings as in prosperity and happiness, he is as far from the piety of a Christian as he that only loves them that love him is from the charity of a Christian. For to thank God only for such things as you like is no more a proper act of piety than to believe only what you see is an act of faith. Resignation and thanksgiving to God are only acts of piety when they are acts of faith, trust and confidence in the divine goodness.
— William Law (1686–1761), Theologe
Topics: Joy & Gratitude, Faith & Trust
Occasions: For Reflection
William Law
William Law (1686–1761) war ein englischer Geistlicher und theologischer Schriftsteller, der nach der Verweigerung des Treueeids auf Georg I. vor allem in King’s Cliffe lebte und wirkte. Er forderte in einflussreichen Erbauungswerken wie „A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life“ eine radikale, praktische Nachfolge Christi, während seine spätere Hinwendung zur theosophischen Mystik Jakob Böhmes theologische Kritik von Zeitgenossen wie John Wesley auslöste. Für heutige Bibelleser bietet sein Werk pointierte Impulse zu einer Frömmigkeit, die Gebet, persönliche Disziplin und tätige Nächstenliebe im Alltag zusammenführt.
All quotes by William Law (21)
When you see a child, you catch God in the act.
Martin Luther
Gertrud von le Fort
Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy. It's only that.
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Paul Gerhardt
Augustine of Hippo
For all that has been - Thanks. For all that will be - Yes.
Dag Hammarskjöld
The world is more than its burden, and life is more than the sum of its gray days.
Alfred Delp
Frederick Buechner