There is not any real courage at all in attacking hoary or antiquated things, any more than in offering to fight one’s grandmother. The really courageous man is he who defies tyrannies young as the morning and superstitions fresh as the first flowers. G. K. Chesteron
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Titus 1:9
A few months ago my wife and I were looking for a good church to attend, one that had solid biblical exposition and meaningful worship. So, we decided to try out a church not far away that was located on the campus of a religious university. I thought we had a good chance of success because the denomination in the past maintained a strong commitment to historic Christianity.
Modern materialism, especially in the realm of psychology, is not content with occupying the lower quarters of the Christian city, but pushes its way into all the higher reaches of life; it is just as opposed to the philosophical idealism of the liberal preacher as to the Biblical doctrines that the liberal preacher has abandoned in the interest of peace. Mere concessiveness, therefore, will never succeed in avoiding the intellectual conflict. In the intellectual battle of the present day there can be no “peace without victory;” one side or the other must win. J. Graham Machen [Christianity and Liberalism, p. 5]
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." 1 Cor 16:13-14
The Christian faith is based upon objective truth. It is historical and verifiable. But, it has its enemies and critics. In every age Christianity has had to defend its faith against powerful and influential adversaries. But the truth of the gospel, like a fortress upon a hill, stands firm and faultless.
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. Jude 3
In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt to be the things that are least worth holding; the really important things are the things about which men will fight. J. Gresham Machen
God is truth. His Word is truth. He has revealed to us His Person. He does not change. What we think or what we want will not alter who He is. Truth by its very nature is divisive. All other theories are wrong and those who hold them are losers. Many prefer religious feelings to precise doctrine. They reason that doctrine is divisive and what we really need is to stop splitting hairs about content and to start holding hands with those who share our sentiment. Precise doctrine and bold assertions are seen as unnecessary impediments to the unity and joy of the Church.
The center about which all the petals clustered was the affirmation of the forgiveness of sins through the utterly unmerited grace of God made possible by the cross of Christ, which reconciled wrath and mercy, routed the hosts of hell, triumphed over sin and death, and by the resurrection manifested that power which enables man to die to sin and rise to newness of life. This was of course the theology of Paul, heightened, intensified, and clarified. Beyond these cardinal tenets, Luther was never to go. Richard H. Bainton
Prepare your minds for action. 1 Peter 1:13
"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point. --Martin Luther (1483-1546)
I recently attended a seminar where a missionary to Muslim countries was the speaker. He reminded us that Muslims don’t welcome Christian missionaries and they sometimes kill them. Given that reality, he often receives calls from concerned parents asking him to help convince their precious children to change their minds about going to those dangerous places. He told us he has one response for those worried parents: “I will weep with you but I won’t fear with you.”
Read more: Holy Heroes # 2 Martin Luther: The Root of the Reformation
