My poem of the week this week is a strong call to perseverance from Robert Service. Service is not a guide to theology but is at his best calling for us to live life to the fullest and not give up. “Carry On!” It’s easy to fight when everything’s right, And you’re mad with thrill …
“When ministers study to be florid rather than solid, and labor continually for lofty phrases and great swelling words of vanity, they are only spinning a spider’s web. The prater perhaps may win applause, but the minister in the meantime may not win a soul, the divine end of preaching. They must follow the example …
My poem of the week for my office door this week came from Adoniram Judson. It is a powerful statement of mission zeal- realistic, cost counted, hopeful because of the future promises. I had assumed it was a piece from a larger poem but was unable to find any more of the poem. Perhaps this …
Since I heard about N. T. Wright’s new book on the Psalms I have been waiting for it to come out. While I have my differences with Wright, I am glad to hear him speaking on this important issue. He recently did an interview with Christianity Today on the topic of the Psalms which is …
Recently the first ever press interview with Christopher Tolkien, son of J. R. R. Tolkien and the official executor of J.R.R. Tolkien’s estate, was published (the link takes you to an even more recent translation of the interview into English). The headline makes much of Christopher Tolkien’s displeasure with Peter Jackson’s movie interpretations, but what …
My poem of the week last week was this great gospel declaration by Joseph Hart: “O Ye Sons of Men Be Wise” O ye sons of men be wise, trust no longer dreams and lies, Out of Christ, almighty pow’r can do nothing but devour. God you say is good. ‘Tis true. But he’s pure …
One of my favorite poems about books was my “poem of the week” last week. Robert Southey (1774-1843) “His Books” My days among the Dead are past; Around me I behold, Where’er these casual eyes are cast, The mighty minds of old: My never failing friends are they, With whom I converse day by day. …
“The role of the priest is to proclaim the truth and suffer for the truth, and if necessary, even die for the truth.” – Polish priest-martyr Jerzy Popieluszko Jim Kushiner from Touchstone Magazine has written a powerful essay interacting with a new documentary on the life and death of Jerzy Popieluszko, a Polish priest in …
I am really enjoying Thomas Foxcroft’s little book, The Gospel Ministry. It is a sermon he preached in 1718 on the nature of gospel ministry as he began a pastorate. He is particularly eloquent in urging that every sermon should be about Christ. Here is a long quote which is particularly rich. “Whatever subject ministers …
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I recently came across this comment from Luther scholar, Gordon Rupp. It contains a valuable challenge to any who are involved in biblical study and pastoral ministry. “In the National Gallery there is a Flemish landscape. The artist, Patinir, had never seen real mountains, and he practiced with shards of rock which jut grotesquely from …
Continue reading ‘Luther: ‘the souls of men and women were a charge which came upon him daily’’ »