21 Centuries in 21 Quotes – 21st Century

The march concludJohn Piperes today as we have arrived back in the 21st century. Our writer is still active in promoting the cause of Christ and teaching others about desiring God:

“I am wired by nature to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to fit in. I start to love what others love. I start to call earth “home.” Before you know it, I am calling luxeries “needs” and using my money just the way unbelievers do. I begin to forget the war. I don’t think much about people perishing. Missions and unreached people drop out of my mind. I stop dreaming about the triumphs of grace. I sink into a secular mind-set that looks first to what man can do, not what God can do. It is a terrible sickness. And I thank God for those who have forced me again and again toward a wartime mind-set.”   John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life

21 Centuries in 21 Quotes – 20th Century

ji-packer-speakingThe march takes us to what for many of us is familiar territory as many of us actually lived in the 20th century. Today’s writer is one whose work can be found in two different centuries (he is alive today). The quote is from his 20th century classic “Knowing God”:

“Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.” J.I. Packer

21 Centuries In 21 Quotes – 19th Century

rylelibrary-300x292Today we arrive at the 19th century in our march through church history. Today’s quote is from the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool, England. His book “Holiness” is considered a classic and read right up to our own time. Today, we will read two quotes:

“Do nothing that you would not like God to see. Say nothing you would not like God to hear. Write nothing you would not like God to read. Go no place where you would not like God to find you. Read no book of which you would not like God to say, ‘Show it to Me.’ Never spend your time in such a way that you would not like to have God say, What are you doing?’”

“Hell is truth known too late.”

J. C. Ryle

21 Centuries in 21 Quotes – 18th Century

Jonathan_EdwardsOn March 18th, we visit the man who is perhaps the best-known theologian in American history (but who, over two decades before the Revolutionary War, would have considered himself a British theologian).

“Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.” Jonathan Edwards

21 Centuries in 21 Quotes – 17th Century

thomas-goodwinIt’s day 17 of the march through church history. Today’s quote is from an English theologian who was considered a giant of interpreting the Bible by those who heard them. His influence remains with us to this day:

“When God will have any great matters done, he sets his people’s hearts to work at prayer by a kind of gracious instinct. He stirs them up and moves their hearts by the influence of his Holy Spirit.”  Thomas Goodwin