The counter-intuitive truth that the depressed person needs to hear isn’t “you’re really a wonderful person,” but rather, “you’re more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe.” When he bemoans that he’s “such a failure,” we should agree with him, at least on one level. We should all agree that we’re all failures to the point that the perfect Son of God had to die before we would be able to have fellowship with Him… In a nutshell, we have to intentionally consider Jesus, especially during those dark hours we’re tempted to think only of ourselves. And although every one of us needs a daily dose of Gospel-recapitulation, those of us who feels the blows of Giant Despair need it even more.
— Elyse Fitzpatrick (b. 1950), Buchautorin, Referentin, biblische Seelsorgerin
Topics: Guilt & Forgiveness, Grace & Redemption, Illness & Weakness
Occasions: For Reflection
Elyse Fitzpatrick
Die US-amerikanische Buchautorin, Referentin und biblische Seelsorgerin Elyse Fitzpatrick (* 1950) wirkt seit den 1990er-Jahren im evangelikal-reformierten Raum. Bekannt wurde sie durch Veröffentlichungen zu Erziehung und Lebensführung, in denen sie die Gnade Gottes gegen moralistische Leistungsansprüche betont, was in konservativen Kreisen zu Kontroversen über Antinomismus und traditionelle Geschlechterrollen führte. Für Bibelleser verdeutlicht ihr Ansatz, wie biblische Texte zu Schuld, Gnade und Gehorsam konsequent von der reformatorischen Rechtfertigungslehre her verstanden werden können.
All quotes by Elyse Fitzpatrick (4)
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