One of the best introductions to the history and ideas of Calvinism, packed with insight and wisdom. Alister E. McGrath More Quotes by Alister E. McGrath More Quotes From Alister E. McGrath Faith is not something that goes against the evidence, it goes beyond it. The evidence is saying to us, 'There is another country. There is something beyond mere reason'. Alister E. McGrath evidence reason country A failure to understand something does not mean it is irrational. It may simply mean that it lies on the far side of our limited abilities to take things in and make complete sense of them. Alister E. McGrath doe mean lying Atheism, I began to realize, rested on a less-than-satisfactory evidential basis. The arguments that had once seemed bold, decisive, and conclusive increasingly turned out to be circular, tentative, and uncertain. Alister E. McGrath argument atheism atheist Our desires cannot be, and were never meant to be, satisfied by earthly pleasures alone. Alister E. McGrath satisfied pleasure desire Within each of us exists the image of God, however disfigured and corrupted by sin it may presently be. God is able to recover this image through grace as we are conformed to Christ. Alister E. McGrath able grace may The Christian faith allows us to see further and deeper, to appreciate that nature is studded with signs, radiant with reminders, and emblazoned with symbols of God, our creator and redeemer. Alister E. McGrath reminders appreciate christian The 20th century gave rise to one of the greatest and most distressing paradoxes of human history: that the greatest intolerance and violence of that century were practiced by those who believed that religion caused intolerance and violence. Alister E. McGrath intolerance paradox violence Suffering does not call into question the "big picture" of the Christian faith. It reminds us that we do not see the whole picture, and are thus unable to fit all of the pieces neatly into place. Alister E. McGrath suffering christian doe Within each of us exists the image of God, however disfigured and corrupted by sin it may presently be. God is able to recover this image through grace as we are conformed to Christ. Just as the figure of David lay hidden within the marble, discernible only to the eye of its creator, so the image of God (however tarnished by sin) lies within us, see and known by God Himself. Yet God loves us while we are still sinners. He doesn't have to wait until we stop sinning. Acceptance of His love is a major step along the road that leads to our liberation from the tyranny of sin. Alister E. McGrath eye acceptance lying The most radical question which anyone can be asked is not how much their possessions cost, but whether they have found something of value - that is, something that makes living worthwhile. Alister E. McGrath meaning-of-life cost found Christianity israrely understood by those outside its bounds. In fact, this is probably one of the greatest tasks confronting the apologist–to rescue Christianity from misunderstandings. Alister E. McGrath tasks christianity facts Good does not triumph unless good people rise to the challenges around them. Alister E. McGrath triumph challenges people Our present world contains clues...to another world-a world which we can begin to experience now, but will only know in all its fullness at the end of things. Alister E. McGrath clue inspirational-life world Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish. Alister E. McGrath climate doe may The state is concerned with the promotion of outward righteousness arising from the individual being constrained to keep the law. The Gospel alters human nature, whereas the state merely restrains human greed and evil, having no positive power to alter human motivation. Alister E. McGrath motivation evil law The true believer is not someone who disengages from this world in order to focus on heaven, but rather the one who tries to make this world more like heaven. Alister E. McGrath focus heaven order We live in a world of competing narratives. In the end, we have to decide for ourselves which is right. And having made that decision, we then need to inhabit the story we trust. Alister E. McGrath decision stories needs Hope is rooted in the trustworthiness of God. Alister E. McGrath trustworthiness rooted For Calvin, the creation reflects its Creator at every point. Image after images flashed in front of our eyes, as Calvin attempts to convey the multiplicity of ways in which the creation witnesses to its Creator: it is like a visible garment, which the invisible God dons in order to make himself known; it is like a book in which the name on the Creator is written as its author; it is like a theater, in which the glory of God is publicly displayed; it is like a mirror, in which the works and wisdom of God are reflected. Alister E. McGrath mirrors eye book The English experience suggested that nobody really doubted the existence of God until theologians tried to prove it. Alister E. McGrath theologian prove-it existence
