Why the Holy Spirit should be restricted so that He can only be at work at the moment a sermon is delivered and not in the thoughtful and prayerful preparation beforehand, I don’t know. The same mistake was made by an actual preacher who used to prepare the first half of his sermons and then freewheel the second half, wishing to “depend on the Holy Spirit for inspiration.” One astute lady listening to him one day was perplexed by the change that took place halfway through the sermon. Afterwards she asked the preacher what happened. So he explained his method to which she replied, “That is strange. You are a better preacher than the Holy Spirit!”
— Melvin Tinker (1955–2021), Pfarrer, Theologe und Buchautor
Topics: Church & Congregation, Wisdom & Understanding
Occasions: For Reflection
Melvin Tinker
Melvin Tinker (1955–2021) war ein britischer evangelikaler Theologe, Buchautor und langjähriger Pfarrer in Kingston upon Hull. Er vertrat eine strikt konservativ-reformierte Theologie, verteidigte die Irrtumslosigkeit der Bibel und verließ nach jahrelanger scharfer Kritik am liberalen Kurs der Church of England 2020 die Denomination. Bibellesern vermitteln seine Schriften Orientierung zu Themen wie persönlichem Leiden, christlicher Nachfolge und der Auseinandersetzung mit säkularen Strömungen.
All quotes by Melvin Tinker (21)
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Tim Keller
The Church is not a cultural club, but the family of Jesus.
Pope Francis
The Bible in the pulpit must never supersede the Bible at home.
John Charles Ryle
In essential unity; in nonessentials liberty; in all this charity.
Rupertus Meldenius
Henry Ward Beecher
Philip Yancey
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
In a congregation, every person must be able to be as their heart truly is.
Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf