Inspirational Quotes by A. Hall

“Time removes us from all texts and subtexts and so cripples our ability to detect tacit references—which is why, as history marches on, annotated editions of the classics, including the Bible, become longer and longer.”

“The fathers do affirm a broad set of theological propositions that have remained central to Christian orthodoxy across almost all denominational lines. Ramsey specifically lists belief in a triune God, the fully divine and fully human natures of Christ, the redemptive efficacy of Christ’s death on the cross, the absolute authority and infallibility of Scripture, the fallen condition of humanity, the significance of baptism and Holy Communion, and the vital importance of prayer and a disciplined spiritual life. “Belief in these things, which the fathers unanimously proclaimed, even if they proclaimed them in different ways, continues to be the distinguishing mark of Christianity to this day.”

“Second, Gregory reminded his audience that the knowledge of God is a gift to be reverently received and sweetly guarded. The Eunomians, by changing exegesis and theology into a kind of recreational sport practiced within any context, paraded holy things before people who could not hope to understand them. To use Jesus’ terms, they threw pearls to swine. Behind this critique was Gregory’s deep awareness that theology is a type of worship, a holy endeavor, one that blossoms in a context of prayer, devotion and adoration, but withers when transformed into an academic, speculative mind game.”

“Origen himself warned that in “advanced matters of theology absolute confidence is possible only for two classes of people, saints and idiots.”

“He was baptized as man—but he remitted sins as God. . . . He was tempted as man, but he conquered as God. . . . He hungered—but he fed thousands. . . . He was wearied, but he is the rest of them that are weary and heavy-laden. He was heavy with sleep, but he walked lightly over the sea. . . . He pays tribute, but it is out of a fish; yea, he is the king of those who demanded it. . . . He prays, but he hears prayer. He weeps, but he causes tears to cease. He asks where Lazarus was laid, for he was man; but he raises Lazarus, for he was God. He is sold, and very cheap, for it is only for thirty pieces of silver; but he redeems the world, and that at a great price, for the price was his blood. As a sheep he is led to the slaughter, but he is the shepherd of Israel, and now of the whole world also. . . . He is bruised and wounded, but he heals every disease and every infirmity. He is lifted up and nailed to the tree, but by the tree of life he restores us. He dies, but he gives life, and by his death he destroys death.49”

“Gregory’s words remain a sharp and timely rebuke to the continuing temptation to practice theology as though we could separate the exercise of our mind from the development of our character.”