Old Erich Proverb - Dry Doctrine

There is no dry doctrine, only dry doctrine teachers.

A Voice from the Past - Gregory the Great

The ruler also ought to understand how commonly vices pass themselves off as virtues. For often niggardliness palliates itself under the name of frugality, and on the other hand prodigality hides itself under the appellation of liberality. Often inordinate laxity is believed to be loving-kindness, and unbridled wrath is accounted the virtue of spiritual zeal. Often precipitate action is taken for the efficacy of promptness, and tardiness for the deliberation of seriousness.

Gregory the Great, 540-604 AD, Pastoral Rule, Part I, Chapter IX, (The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. XII, Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, translated by James Barmby, T & T Clark and  Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997, p. 20)

How can we avoid trying to fool others and ourselves this way? How can we tell when it is happening?

Faith Not Sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7

A Bride for the Prince

Re-Posted from "Meditations of a Charismatic Calvinist Who Does Not Speak in Tongues"
 

The Prince was given the task of interviewing various eligible women in the kingdom, that he might pick a bride. He did not really understand this, as he had thought his bride had been chosen for him already by his Father. But since he always did the will of his Father he proceeded with the process.

The first woman was elegantly dressed, with raven black hair. Her name was Pistos. She was quite formal, and well-versed in all matters of protocol and in the history and customs of the kingdom. (In fact, she seemed to know customs of the kingdom of which the Prince was unaware.) She was very exacting in carrying out and explaining these customs. But she did seem to the Prince to be somewhat rigid and demanding.

The next woman, named Chara, was very different. She rushed into the Prince's presence in casual clothes, with loose, flowing blonde hair. She was vivacious and enthusiastic, constantly cheerful and on the move. There did seem to be a problem, though, in getting her to slow down and stop talking. She seemed to follow every impulse without pause or consideration. And the Prince had to wonder how well she would hold up to the serious business of ruling.

Then entered a woman named Enkrateia, with subdued brown hair and simple, though slightly formal dress. She was efficient but commonsensical and seemed in control of herself and the situation. She believed in organization and rules, but only practical rules, none of those outmoded customs. Also, she opposed all whimsy and foolishness and preferred to get on with the practical aspects of life. But the Prince felt she might be too severe and controlled and might be lacking in compassion to those who did not meet her standards.

The Prince sat and contemplated the three women and wondered which to choose and wished He might have a mixture of the three. He also wondered if any of them might be the one his Father had chosen for him.

Then his Vicar, Pneuma, enters the throne-room and speaks, "There is something you must know about the women you have seen."


"What is it? " asked the Prince.

"They are all the same woman. She has worn different clothes and wigs and acted differently, but she is the same person."

"Is she insane?"

"No, but she is afraid of being rejected by you, so she has tried different ways to please you, hoping you will accept one of her guises. I believe with love and patience she can be healed."

"Is she the woman my Father chose for me?"

"Yes she is," the Vicar replied.

"Then I will exert all my love and patience to heal her," the Prince replied. "But tell her to dump the wigs."

Follow the Leader

What is a leader, and why should we follow them? C. S. Lewis points out that there has been a major change in about the last hundred years of human history as to what a leader is. In earlier times the leader (more often referred to as a ruler) was to maintain stability and quiet and to do his work competently and honestly. His chief qualifications were a good moral character and the ability (and if possible experience) to do the job well. A generally boring individual. It was the bad rulers that generated excitement. But in modern times all this has changed. We now want leaders who give us direction and vision, who have a program. We want those who will take initiative and be charismatic and direct us to their vision of a better world. We want them to excite us about their dream for a bright future. But somehow this better world never seems to materialize. This is founded on the progress mentality. This is the adaptation of advancements in the area of science and technology, applying them without basis to all of life. But just because we are advancing in one area (an area on which we have concentrated considerable attention and effort) does not mean we are or will advance in all others. And the perpetual longing for something new very easily can become newness simply for newness' sake.

This same concept of leadership can be found in the Christian church. Now Scripture, in looking at leaders, puts the primary emphasis on character (1 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:12; 1 Peter 5:1-3). They are also to be those who can carry out their functions competently, particularly with regard to teaching the Word of God (Titus 1:9; 1 Timothy 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-4). Yet we have come to value leaders not for this, but for giving direction and casting vision, resulting in the production of new and exciting programs. (Before someone quotes Proverbs 29:18, I need to point out that the vision here is prophetic vision, inspired revelation, not the modern idea of subjective imagination.) If anything, we should do God's work and trust in Him to guide us (Psalms 127:1,2; Proverbs 3:5,6; Ephesians 2:10), not base our ministry on whatever new fad has become popular. From this trust in God we may be established in God's teaching (Ephesians 4:14-16; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 20:27) and God's character (1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Ephesians 5:1). It is easy to be attracted by a flashy show, but we should base our lives around substance.

A Touch of Humor - Order of Service

Can we get too caught up in how things have always been done? How do we evaluate what to change and what to keep?

A Voice from the Past - John of Damascus

Every action, therefore, and performance of miracles by Christ are most great and divine and marvellous: but the most marvellous of all is His precious Cross. For no other thing has subdued death, expiated the sin of the first parent, despoiled Hades, bestowed the resurrection, granted the power to us of contemning the present and even death itself, prepared the return to our former blessedness, opened the gates of Paradise, given our nature a seat at the right hand of God, and made us the children and heirs of God, save the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. For by the Cross all things have been made right.

John of Damascus, 676-754 AD, Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book IV, Chapter XI (The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol IX, Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, translated by S. D. F. Salmond, T & T Clark and Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997, p. 80)

How significant is it that Christ accomplished His greatest work, not through blatant wonders, but through suffering? What implication does that have for us today?