November 8th, 2007

"And here let those
who boast in mortal thing, and wondr'ing tell
of Babel, and the works of Memphian kings,
Learn how their greatest monuments of fame,
And strength, and art, are easily outdone
By spirits reprobate, and in an hour,
What in an age they with incessant toil,
And hands innumberable, scarce perform."
- John Milton, "Paradise Lost" (Book I, 692-699)

October 10th, 2007

"Pride is born of the deep dissatisfaction of the creature with the limits of its creaturehood, its lack of permanency, wisdom, and power. . . If pride implies reaching too high, sloth means sinking too low, settling for something less than real humanity."
- Douglas John Hall, "What Time Is It?" - quoted in "The Sovereign" by Jill Carattini (www.rzim.org)

April 18th, 2007

"Today's misspent enthusiasm for political solutions to the moral problems of our culture arises from a distorted view of both politics and spirituality - too low a view of the power of a sovereign God and too high a view of the ability of man. The idea that human systems, reformed by a Christian influence, pave the road to the Kingdom - or at least, to revival - has the same utopian ring that one finds in Marxist literature. It also ignores the consistent lesson of history that shows that laws are most often reformed as a result of powerful spiritual movements. I know of no case where a spiritual movement was achieved by passing laws."
- Charles Colson "Kingdoms in Conflict" (p 304)

"It is ludicrous for any Christian to believe that he or she is the worthy object of public worship; it would be like the donkey carrying Jesus into Jerusalem believing the crowds were cheering and laying down their garments for him."
- Charles Colson "Kingdoms in Conflict" (p 271)

"The lure of power can separate the most resolute of Christians from the true nature of Christian leadership, which is service to others. It's difficult to stand on a pedestal and wash the feet of those below."
- Charles Colson "Kingdoms in Conflict" (p 272)