If Christ loved the weak believer to the extent of laying down his life for his salvation, how alien to the demands of this love is the refusal on the part of the strong to forego the use of a certain article of food [or anything else] when the religious interests of the one for whom Christ died are thereby imperiled! It is the contrast between what the extreme sacrifice of Christ exemplified and the paltry demand devolving upon us that accentuates the meanness of our attitude when we discard the interests of a weak brother. And since the death of Christ as the price of redemption for all believers is the bond uniting them in fellowship, how contradictory is any behavior that is not patterned after the love which Christ’s death exhibited!
— John Murray (1898–1975), Reformierter Theologe
Related Bible passage: ROM.14.15
Topics: Service & Love of Neighbour, Relationships & Family, Church & Congregation
Occasions: For Reflection
John Murray
Der schottisch-amerikanische Theologe John Murray lehrte von 1930 bis 1966 Systematische Theologie am konservativen Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Er prägte die reformierte Dogmatik durch eine streng an der Schriftexegese orientierte Methode und Werke wie „Redemption Accomplished and Applied“, stieß jedoch im eigenen Lager mit seiner Modifikation der klassischen Bundestheologie auf theologische Kritik. Heutigen Bibellesern vermittelt sein Werk einen systematisch präzisen Zugang zur reformierten Heilslehre, insbesondere zum Römerbrief und zum Verständnis der Vereinigung mit Christus.
All quotes by John Murray (14)
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
Mother Teresa
Prayer does not equip us for greater works – prayer is the greater work.
Oswald Chambers
In our own woundedness, we can become sources of life for others.
Henri Nouwen
There are two ways to do good: to give and to forgive.
Augustine of Hippo
The world consists of nothing but opportunities for love.
Søren Kierkegaard
We cannot do great things on this earth, only small things with great love.
Mother Teresa
The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.
Frederick Buechner
Etty Hillesum