So I had to read this book for Church History. I ran across this quote which blew my socks off.
on a Sunday and instead of getting out glasses, cards, or dice would
take up a book and read from it for the edification of all or would
review something from sermons that were heard! If they would speak
With one another about the divine mysteries, and the one who received
most from God would try to instruct his weaker brethren! If, should
they be not quite able to find their way through, they would ask a
preacher to clarify the matter! If this should happen, how much evil
would be held in abeyance [suspension], and how the blessed Sunday would be
sanctified for the great edification and marked benefit of all! It is
certain, in any case, that we preachers cannot instruct the people from
our pulpits as much as is needful unless other persons in the congregation,
who by God's grace have a superior knowledge of Christianity,
take the pains, by virtue of their universal Christian priesthood, to
work with and under us to correct and reform as much in their
neighbors as they are able according to the measure of their gifts and
their simplicity."
Philip Jacob Spener
Pia Desideria (meaning "Holy Desires")
First published in 1675
6 comments:
That's good stuff...
Wow! That would be I don't know "church".
uh... do we have to put up the glasses, cards, and dice? I mean... those are fun.
Lance, though smart... Spener was not brilliant. Break out the Spades!
76 word sentences really tick me off!
Oops. I'm going to learn how to play Texas Hold'em tonight.
That's a great quote, Robert.
Post a Comment