simply, Christian
reflection for the First Sunday in Lent
How is your Lenten journey going so far? I hope you have decided to make this a season of intentionally drawing closer to Christ as we prepare to remember his Passion and celebrate his Resurrection. Encourage each other as you seek Christ this week!
The traditional readings for this First Sunday in Lent find us contrasting Adam in . . .
Luther on the Greatest Prayer
theology quote of the week
"Thy will be done..."
theology quote of the week
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."
You may say, “Well, did God not endow us with a free will?” I reply: To be sure, he gave you a free will. But why do you want to make it your own will? Why not let it remain free? If you do with it whatever you will, it is not a free will, but your own will. God did not . . .
Christmas quote of the day
"Joy to the world!" Anyone for whom this sound is foreign, or who hears in it nothing but weak enthusiasm, has not yet really heard the gospel. For the sake of humankind, Jesus Christ became a human being in a stable in Bethlehem: Rejoice, O Christendom! For sinners, Jesus Christ became a companion of tax collectors and . . .
advent quote of the day (17 Dec 2018)
It is [Jesus'] love alone that lets him become guilty. Out of his selfless love, out of his sinless nature, Jesus enters into the guilt of human beings; he takes it upon himself. A sinless nature and guilt bearing are bound together in him indissolubly. As the sinless one Jesus takes guilt upon himself, and under the burden of this . . .
advent quote of the day (16 Dec 2018)
Jesus does not want to be the only perfect human being at the expense of humankind. He does not want, as the only guiltless one, to ignore a humanity that is being destroyed by guilt...Jesus becomes the one burdened by guilt--indeed, the one upon whom all human guilt ultimately falls and the one who does not turn it away but bears it . . .
advent quote of the day (15 Dec 2018)
In an incomprehensible reversal of all righteous and pious thinking, God declares himself guilty to the world and thereby extinguishes the guilt of the world. God himself takes the humiliating path of reconciliation and thereby sets the world free. God wants to be guilty of our guilt and takes upon himself the punishment and suffering . . .