True Bible reading happens when, within the visible words, their invisible spirit addresses me, seizes me, penetrates me, overwhelms me, masters me.

— Hermann Heinrich Grafe (1818–1869), Kaufmann, Laientheologe, Kirchenliederdichter, Begründer der Freien evangelischen Gemeinden

Topics: The Bible & the Word of God, Prayer & Silence

Hermann Heinrich Grafe

Hermann Heinrich Grafe (1818–1869) war ein deutscher Kaufmann, Laientheologe und Kirchenliederdichter im bergischen Elberfeld und Barmen. Er gründete 1854 die erste Freie evangelische Gemeinde in Deutschland und vertrat das Konzept einer staatsunabhängigen Freiwilligkeitsgemeinde, womit er mit der damaligen Volkskirche brach und theologische Debatten mit Landeskirchlichen sowie Baptisten führte. Für Bibelleser heute steht sein Wirken für den Impuls zu persönlicher Glaubensentscheidung und einer überkonfessionellen geistlichen Einheit aller Gläubigen.

All quotes by Hermann Heinrich Grafe (118)

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The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.
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The law is divine and holy. Let the law have its glory, but yet no law, be it never so divine and holy, ought to teach me that I am justified, and shall live through it. I grant it may teach me that I ought to love God and my neighbor; also to live in love, soberness, patience, etc., but it ought not to show me how I should be delivered from sin, the devil, death, and hell. Here I must take counsel of the gospel. I must hearken to the gospel, which teaches me, not what I ought to do but what Jesus Christ the Son of God hath done for me: that He suffered and died to deliver me from sin and death. The gospel wills me to receive this, and to believe it. And this is the truth of the gospel. Most necessary it is, therefore, that we should know this article well, teach it unto others, and beat it into their heads continually.
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