My God is So Great

Roland H. Bainton says of Calvinism in his work, The Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, "The drive of Calvinism stems from optimism as to God despite pessimism as to man."

Yes, we Calvinists "put no confidence in princes nor for help on man depend." But yet we hold a bright view of the future due to the utter supremacy of God and the outworking of his plan. We Calvinists are often put forth as the gloomy ones. But not so. We are the most optimistic bunch because our God cannot be thwarted in anything that he does--and he does all things well!

Bainton later notes the difference between Lutheranism and the Reformed camp by saying,

The great text for Luther was "Thy sins are forgiven," but for Calvin it was "If God is for us who can be against us?" Both Calvin and Luther had an overwhelming sense of the majesty of God, but whereas for Luther this served to point up the miracle of forgiveness, for Calvin it gave rather the assurance of the impregnability of God's purpose.

Of course we Calvinists are big on the forgiveness of sins, but the ultimate objective is still prominent: The sovereign God whose eternal purpose will not fail will be glorified for all eternity!

But allow me another accurate quote that does put us in the dust. Regarding Calvin's view of the so called "virtuous pagans" Bainton says,

From the point of view of divine truth the philosophers, apart from God's revelation, are blinder than bats and moles, and apart from God's grace the virtues of the pagans are but splendid vices.

Luther on Preaching

Here is the article that I quoted from this morning on Luther's view of preaching. The quotes in this article are enough to make you want to read Luther's sermons for yourself. I just wish I had Luther's wit and ability to make a point. His ability to mix comedy with serious gravity is a gift that really helps to drive a point home.

The Most Feared Pope

"The pope I fear the most is not the one in Rome. It is the one in me."
--Martin Luther

Powerful Proverb

Pluribus intentus, minor est ad singula sensus"-

"He who thinks of many things, thinks of nothing and does nothing right"


Found this in a sermon by Martin Luther. Good stuff. Here are some Luther links that I came accross this week. I highly recommend the first, a sermon by Luther on prayer.

http://www.holytrinitynewrochelle.org/ASIMPLEWAYTOPRAY.html

http://www.orlutheran.com/html/mlserms.html