One of the greatest paradoxes in Christian history is that the church is most pure in times of cultural hostility. When things are easy and good, that is when the church most often goes astray. When Christianity seems identical with the culture and even when the church seems to be enjoying its greatest earthly success, then it is weakest. Conversely, when the church encounters hardship, persecution, and suffering…then it is closest to its crucified Lord, then there are fewer hypocrites and nominal believers among its members, and then the faith of Christians burns most intensely.

Gene Edward Veith (b. 1951), Literaturwissenschaftler, Kulturkritiker und Autor

Topics: Church & Congregation, Temptation & Struggle, Suffering & the Question of God

Occasions: For Reflection

Gene Edward Veith

Gene Edward Veith (* 1951) ist ein US-amerikanischer Literaturwissenschaftler, Kulturkritiker und Autor, der unter anderem an der Concordia University Wisconsin sowie am Patrick Henry College lehrte. Er steht für eine konfessionell-lutherische Auseinandersetzung mit Kultur und Gesellschaft sowie für die Wiederentdeckung der reformatorischen Lehre von der christlichen Berufung im Alltag. Bibellesern verdeutlicht sein Werk, wie sich theologische Konzepte wie die Kreuzestheologie praktisch auf Arbeit, Bildung und das Leben in einer säkularen Welt anwenden lassen.

All quotes by Gene Edward Veith (9)

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I rejected the church for a time because I found so little grace there. I returned because I found grace nowhere else.

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Charles Haddon Spurgeon

In a congregation, every person must be able to be as their heart truly is.

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