God’s goodness is a communicative, spreading goodness… If God had not a communicative, spreading goodness, He would never have created the world. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost were happy in themselves and enjoyed one another before the world was. But that God delights to communicate and spread His goodness, there had never been a creation nor a redemption. God uses His creatures not for defect of power, that He can do nothing without them, but for the spreading of His goodness.
— Richard Sibbes (1577–1635), Prediger
Topics: God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, Grace & Redemption, Love
Occasions: For Reflection
Richard Sibbes
Richard Sibbes (1577–1635) war ein englischer Theologe der Church of England, der als Universitätsprediger in Cambridge und an der Juristenfakultät Gray’s Inn in London wirkte. Als gemäßigter Puritaner wurde er vor allem durch seelsorgliche Schriften wie „The Bruised Reed“ und seine Betonung der Barmherzigkeit Christi bekannt, geriet durch kirchenpolitische Initiativen jedoch zeitweise in Konflikt mit den kirchlichen Behörden. Heutigen Bibellesern vermitteln seine Texte einen Einblick in eine Auslegungstradition, die theologische Tiefe mit praktischem Trost bei Glaubenszweifeln und inneren Anfechtungen verbindet.
All quotes by Richard Sibbes (20)
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