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. PackerRead
Christian minds have been conformed to the modern spirit: the spirit, that is, that spawns great thoughts of man and leaves room for only small thoughts of God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on how modern beliefs can diminish the significance of divine thoughts in favor of human-centric ideas.
J. I. Packer's quote critiques the tendency of contemporary Christian thought to align with modern ideals that prioritize human intellect and achievements over the greatness of God. It warns against a worldview that fosters grand ideas about humanity while neglecting the vastness and importance of divine contemplation, suggesting a shift in focus that may lead to a superficial understanding of faith and spirituality.
Themes
FaithSpiritualityModernityHumanismThought
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on faith and modern values, one could use this quote to illustrate the tension between humanism and divine belief.
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We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the psalms, and that the habit of celebrating the greatness and graciousness of God yields an endless flow of thankfulness, joy, and zeal.
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The fruit of wisdom is Christlikeness, peace, humility and love. And, the root of it is faith in Christ as the manifested wisdom of God
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Were I asked to focus the New Testament message in three words, my proposal would be ADOPTION THROUGH PROPITIATION, and I do not expect ever to meet a richer or more pregnant summary of the gospel than that.
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Only when it is seen that what decides each individual's destiny is whether or not God decides to save him from his sins, and that this is a decision that God need not make in any individual case, can one begin to grasp the biblical view of grace.
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