God’s chief end in the creation could not have been the creation itself, because the world would then have to have been eternal and equal with God. Since the world is not eternal but an effect caused by the power of God, it could not be the ultimate end of itself. This would lift an effect into the realm of pure cause; a cause that we know is God alone. It would be making a secondary cause into a final cause.
— John Hannah, Kirchenhistoriker und Theologe
Topics: God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, Wisdom & Understanding
Occasions: For Reflection
John Hannah
John D. Hannah ist ein US-amerikanischer evangelikaler Kirchenhistoriker und Theologe, der über fünf Jahrzehnte lang als Professor für Historische Theologie am Dallas Theological Seminary lehrte. Geprägt von einer reformierten Theologie und der Erforschung des Puritanismus, erlangte er Bekanntheit durch strukturierte Übersichtswerke zur Kirchengeschichte sowie durch Beiträge zur Irrtumslosigkeit der Bibel. Für Bibelleser ordnet er theologische Entwicklungen und Auslegungsfragen sachlich in ihren kirchengeschichtlichen Kontext ein.
All quotes by John Hannah (18)
You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Augustine of Hippo
Jesus calls us not to a new religion, but to life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I would not be able to seek you if you had not already found me.
Augustine of Hippo
When you see a child, you catch God in the act.
Martin Luther
God does not love us because we are lovable, but because his nature is love.
Oswald Chambers
God seeks you more than your offering.
Augustine of Hippo
God has his ear at your heart.
Augustine of Hippo
God is closer to us than we are to ourselves.
Augustine of Hippo