Tag: quotation

Reformation Gems 1: David Chytraeus on Creation

~ Bob Hayton

The Reformation Commentary on Scripture is a beautiful set of books compiling exegetical thoughts and pastoral comments from the Reformation era. Most of the content of this new commentary set is largely inaccessible to the average pastor or teacher today. Indeed, many of the works quoted have not been translated into English, and some that were have long been forgotten.

Each work in this series, culls from the printed works of dozens of Reformation era figures to compile a variety of selections arranged in order by chapter and verse for the given biblical book. Each entry, is given a heading by the editors, and then an excerpt from an original source follows. The resulting collection of comments on Scripture from leading voices of the Reformation is as beautifully presented as it is a joy to read.

I want to start a series where I excerpt some choice selections from the gems contained in this commentary series. The first three volumes in this series have only recently been printed: Galatians & Ephesians (Vol. 10), Ezekiel & Daniel (Vol. 12) and Genesis 1-11 (Vol. 1). Today’s selection will be from the Genesis volume that just arrived in the last week at my doorstep.

The following excerpt is from David Chytraeus (1531-1600), one of the authors of the Formula of Concord (1577), and a Lutheran professor and theologian. He is giving some introductory comments on the book of Genesis in his own commentary on the entire book. I thought this selection brilliantly shows that these Reformers were not cold scholars or ivory exegetes, rather they were passionate for God and His Word, and this passion bleeds out through their writings.

Created to Share All of God’s Goodness

David Chytraeus: God created human beings for this reason, so that there might be a creature to be seen in this world with whom he could share himself–his goodness, wisdom, righteousness and happiness for all eternity–and by whom he might in turn be acknowledged and celebrated. Indeed, God does not impart himself or his blessings except to those who acknowledge him and who knowingly delight in his wisdom and goodness. God therefore wishes to be known by us human beings: and in order that he might be known, not only did he disperse rays of his light and wisdom into human minds, but he also disclosed himself to our first parents right away, speaking with a clear voice, and revealed the hidden promise of his Son, the mediator. Later, he also committed to writing the trustworthy teaching handed on through the prophets, Christ, and the apostles, which he wishes to be read by us, heard, pondered, set forth and explained to others. By our reading and reflecting on these writings, he kindles in our minds the true and eternal light, righteousness and life. (pg. 3)

Learn more about this commentary series at the Reformation Commentary page at IVPress.com, or check out this sampler (PDF). You can pick up a copy of this latest volume in the Reformation Commentary on Scripture series at any of the following online retailers: Westminster Bookstore, Monergism Books, Christianbook.com, Amazon, Barnes&Noble or direct from IVP. You may want to consider becoming a member with IVP and getting the entire series on a subscription discount of more than 40% per volume.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by IVP. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

“He is No Fool” — Jim Elliot or Philip Henry???

~ Bob Hayton ~ 3 Comments


Missionary Jim Elliot is remembered as one of the five missionaries who lost their lives in 1956 in an attempt to reach the Waodoni (or Auca) tribe in the jungles of Ecuador.

Perhaps the most famous quote that Elliot is remembered for, is this:

He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.

I have heard that quote recounted numerous times in sermons about missions, and justifiably so. But when I was reading through a new biography of Matthew Henry (see my review here), I was intrigued when I came across this saying attributed to Henry’s father Philip (also a minister):

He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose.

–from Matthew Henry: His Life and Influence, by Allan Harman, (Chritian Focus, 2012), Kindle location 345-47.

I thought that the resemblance between these two quotes was almost uncanny — and I am not the first to notice the similarities. The Billy Graham Center has a page with a photo of Elliot’s diary entry from October 28, 1949 where he first penned the above words. It also points out the same quote from Philip Henry, that I shared above.

Was Jim Elliot dependent on Philip Henry? We may never know. But both quotes express a powerful message in an elegant way. May we ponder the eternal value of our heavenly inheritance today.

Quotes to Note 34: A Puritan Gem on Preaching

~ Bob Hayton ~ 2 Comments

I came across a jewel of a quote in a biography of Matthew Henry that I was recently reading — Matthew Henry: His Life and Influence by Allan Harman (Christian Focus, 2012). Henry’s dad Philip, also a minister, kept a detailed diary and numerous papers.  In them, Philip Henry preserved some words from a Rev. Thomas Porter on preaching, that he sought to emulate.

Let your preaching be plain. Painted glass is most curious; plain glass is most perspicuous. Be a good crucifix to your people. Preach a crucified Saviour in a crucified style. Paul taught so plainly, that the Corinthians thought him a dunce. Let your matter be substantial; wholesome food; God and Christ, and the gospel, faith, repentance, regeneration. Aim purely at god’s glory and the salvation of souls. Study, as if there were no Christ; preach, as if there had been no study. Preach plainly, yet with novelty; preach powerfully, as Micah; — as Paul, in intension of spirit, not extension of voice. To this end get your sermons into your own souls. It is best, from the heart, to the heart. Preach prudentially, — as stewards, to give each their portion….

The Power of Contemplating the Resurrection

~ Bob Hayton

As we approach Easter, I dug out one of the only books I know that focuses almost exclusively on the Resurrection. Adrian Waronck, an influential evangelical blogger in the UK, is the author of the book Raised with Christ: How the Resurrection Changes Everything. If you’re looking for some devotional reading in the weeks leading up to Easter, you should pick this book up. (The Kindle edition is less than $9.)

I wanted to start thinking about the power of the Resurrection myself, and so I brought out this book. I stumbled over the section I’ve excerpted below and wanted to share it with you all this morning.

Don’t underestimate the potential that simply meditating on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead has to empower and transform us. I am not only speaking of the emotional outpouring that often accompanies such a revelation. I am talking about a deep impact on our soul that weans us from our sinful desires and thrills us with our Lord in all his glory.

If we only contemplate Jesus experiencing terrible suffering on the cross, there is a danger that we might even feel sorry for him. Jesus does not want our pity. He wants our worship, adoration, and celebration as the rightfully installed King of the universe! Contemplating the resurrection and glorification of Jesus helps us recognize him for who he really is. Whenever we seek his face, we see glimpses of his glory, and our transformation into his likeness continues….

While we are commanded to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross, we are also called to gaze upon his glory, seek his face, and meditate on him. While on earth, the fullness of his glory was hidden. Now Jesus is reigning in majesty, and his full glory and beauty are once again on display. This is the accurate picture of Jesus, the Jesus of eternity, who briefly visited us and made the ultimate sacrifice for us and who is now seated at the right hand of God. (pg. 150-151)

Pick up a copy of this book at the following online retailers: Westminster Bookstore, Amazon, ChristianBook.com, Monergism Books, or direct from Crossway.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Crossway Books for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

Quotes to Note 33: On Proverbs and Wise Science

~ Bob Hayton

A few months ago I thoroughly enjoyed reading through Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction by Craig G. Bartholomew and Ryan P. O’Dowd (IVP, 2011). I found several memorable quotes and have highlighted a few already. The selection I’d like to share today focuses on abstract science over and against the everyday wisdom so memorably captured in proverbs.

Proverbs also encapsulate universal truths; “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” is a great example. The difference between such universal truths and scientific abstractions is that they are in a memorable form, available to the ordinary person. Post-Enlightenment science replaces Plato’s philosopher kings with science kings, whereas in the Old Testament, wisdom is democratized and available to all who will attend to her voice. The pithy, poetic form of proverbs makes them memorable, and in cultures like Israel they enabled ordinary folk to store up a reservoir of wisdom to be called on in challenging situations.

This is not to deny for a moment the value of science but to insist that lived, everyday experience is primary and that wise science will deepen our experience of everyday life rather than distrusting it and providing in its place an abstract alternative, which is then declared to be the true truth about the world. As Wolterstorff rightly says of the “ontologist”:

Yet the task of the onotologist is not to postulate new and astonishing entities, not to take us aback with his surmises, not to reveal secrets never suspected. His task is to describe the rich reality in the midst of which we live and act, believe and disbelieve, hope and despair. If he is successful, and if we are at all perceptive, we will not find him describing a terrain which, by his description, is astonishingly different from that in which we thought we lived. We will find him describing that terrain which has all the features of the familiar. [Wolterstorff, On Universals: An Essay in Ontology (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1970), p. xiii. Italics added]

~from Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction, pg. 282-283 [emphasis added]

You can read my review of this book here. Consider picking up a copy at any of these fine retailers: Westminster Bookstore, Monergism Books, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com or direct from IVP Academic.