They who avow the doctrines distinguished by the name of Calvinistic, ought, if consistent with their own principles, to be most gentle and forbearing of all men, in meekness instructing them that oppose. With us, it is a fundamental maxim, that a man can receive nothing but what is given him from heaven (John 3:27). If, therefore, it has pleased God to give us the knowledge of some truths, which are hidden from others, who have the same outward means of information; it is a just reason for thankfulness to Him, but will not justify our being angry with them; for we are no better or wiser than they in ourselves, and might have opposed the truths which we now prize, with the same eagerness and obstinacy, if His grace had not made us to differ. If the man, mentioned in John 9, who was born blind, on whom our Lord graciously bestowed the blessing of sight, had taken a cudgel and beat all the blind men he met, because they would not see, his conduct would have greatly resembled that of an angry Calvinist.
— John Newton (1725–1807), Pfarrer/Liederdichter
Topics: Humility & Pride, Church & Congregation
Occasions: For Reflection
John Newton
John Newton (1725–1807) war ein englischer Seefahrer und späterer anglikanischer Geistlicher, der in Olney und London wirkte. Bekannt wurde er als Dichter des Liedes „Amazing Grace“ sowie als Abolitionist, nachdem er zuvor jahrelang selbst als Kapitän auf Sklavenschiffen tätig gewesen war. Für heutige Bibelleser veranschaulicht sein Werk die theologische Reflexion über Schuld und Vergebung sowie die seelsorgliche Dimension von Gottes Gnade.
All quotes by John Newton (45)
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
C.S. Lewis
Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part.
Philip Yancey
It is better to be a patient of Christ than a doctor of theology.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
There is a God, and I'm not him.
John Mark Comer
Humility is so shy. If you begin talking about it, it leaves.
Tim Keller
God loves to use people whom others believe are unqualified.
Craig Groeschel
I am just a small cable - God is the current.
Mother Teresa
Humility is the ability to look up even to the smallest things in life.
Albert Schweitzer