A Famine of the Word! -Martin Luther-
With so many churches abandoning the Word of God and replacing it with pop psychology, I find the following quote by Martin Luther quite alarming."Again, there is no more cruel stroke of the wrath of God than when He sends a famine of hearing His words (Amo_8:11), just as there is no greater favour from Him than the sending forth of His word, as it is said, "He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions" (Psa_107:20)."
-Martin Luther-
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2
posted by Doug E. @ 10:25 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
I know what you mean...I see that especially in our youth group. Sometimes I wish they would quit quoting all this stuff from articles and lesson manuals and just teach us the Bible.
Makes you wonder if the U.S. is under way more judgement than we think. Reminds me of Romans 1.
Great blog! So many great quotes for reflection. I have travelled in via Kim in Il.
This passage from Luther has so much more force when we think of Christ as the Word of God, as John 1 states. If we fail to preach the Bible/God's word, or let it influence our lives, it is Jesus we're missing out on. Do you think Psalm 107:20 is refering to Jesus as the word?
Great quote Doug! I just love Luther.
Yeah, way too many of us are abandoning the Word for, exactly as you said, nothing more than post modern psychology. It's rediculous. It scares me. I'm so afraid to have to move away from where I am now. I don't want to see how bad it really is. What I hear of some churches is bad enough. With so many of them, it's also easy to doubt whether or not what I'm hearing is truth... But the right way is narrow.
And yes, Jeff that is very interesting how Luther himself stated that! Good point... :)
Missmellifluous,
I'm no expert on the topic, but it does seem that the spiritual truth that is to be taken from that historical truth in Ps. 107:20 is that Jesus is the Word. Spurgeon says, of this passage "Then is the soul driven to cry in the bitterness of its grief unto the Lord, and Christ, the eternal Word, comes with healing power in the direst extremity, saving to the uttermost."
One thing I am alway cautious of though is confusing ontology with epistomology. The way in with Luther is using the word, "word" is refering to the propositional truths found in scripture, not an experience with the person of Jesus. Although we cannot completely separate the two, because the truths point us to Him.
I'm not sure if that made sense or not, like I said I'm no expert. A deeper look at the logos would benefit us.
Can anyone give us some insight on the topic.
Amen Brother!!
I just wanted to let you know that I am sooooo enjoying your blog!
Thanks brother!
Hi Doug,
Thankyou for your response. I think you are right in saying, "...it does seem that the spiritual truth that is to be taken from that historical truth in Ps. 107:20 is that Jesus is the Word." It seems possible to read the Psalm with 'word' having two meanings. One refering to the 'words' of God which control nature - eg, calm storms -, and the other being Christ, the 'word', who brings ultimate salvation. I am also happy to take Spurgeon's thoughts on the passage as he does not say things lightly. It is fitting with God's salvation history that Psalm 107 should refer to a past/present historical event/s in which God saves, and foretell of future salvation in Christ. I, too, am no expert so am happy to be shown where my thinking is flawed.
I guess we may conclude that both types of 'word' have power to heal and save. It is a reminder to stay reading the Bible and stay close to Christ.
Thankyou for the passage to reflect on. It is really refreshing!
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