Thursday, November 18, 2010

Evangelical Courage


It is one of the many great sayings attributed to Luther, one which is often quoted in times of controversy or simply as an antidote to the loss of nerve that seems to overcome so many. It is quoted in popular magazine articles, posted on websites, and even referenced in more scholarly work. I know people who have it framed on their wall. If you are a fan of Luther at all, I'd be surprised if you haven't read or heard of these words. Luther's famous saying goes like this:

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 the 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. To be steady on all battle fronts besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.

It definitely sounds like Luther. He knew that we can't always choose where the battle will be fought today. Today's point of attack may not seem a 'first order issue', at least at first. But it may be that this is the point at which the gospel needs to be defended today and to look for another ground, to write off this cause as lost because it seems 'we just can't win this one', may be a very serious mistake.

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