“I think Martin Luther correctly distinguished between what he called the magisterial and ministerial uses of reason. The magisterial use of reason occurs when reason stands over and above the gospel like a magistrate and judges it on the basis of argument and evidence. The ministerial use of reason occurs when reason submits to and serves the gospel…. Should a conflict arise between the witness of the Holy Spirit to the fundamental truth of the Christian faith and beliefs based on argument and evidence, then it is the former which must take precedence over the latter.” ThinkingShouldReasonUseChristianSpiritBeliefJudgingHolyConflictEvidenceArgumentBasesFundamentalsAriseFormerWitnessHoly SpiritLatterSubmitLutherDistinguishedChristian FaithMagistratesPrecedence Author:William Lane Craig
“We may not understand how the spirit works; but the effect of the spirit on the lives of men is there for all to see; and the only unanswerable argument for Christianity is a Christian life. No man can disregard a religion and a faith and a power which is able to make bad men good. . .” MenMayAbleChristianSpiritChristianityEffectsArgumentChristian LifeDisregardBad Man Author:William Barclay
“Philip Kitcher has composed the most formidable defense of the secular view of life since Dewey. Unlike almost all of contemporary atheism, Life After Faith is utterly devoid of cartoons and caricatures of religion. It is, instead, a sober and soulful book, an exemplary practice of philosophical reflection. Scrupulous in its argument, elegant in its style, humane in its spirit, it is animated by a stirring aspiration to wisdom. Even as I quarrel with it I admire it.” BookSpiritViewsPracticeAtheismStyleReflectionArgumentPhilosophicalDefenseContemporaryAdmireAspirationSecularSoberCartoonElegantQuarrelsHumaneAnimatedStirringFormidableCaricaturesPhilipSoulfulExemplary Author:Leon Wieseltier
“Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure, Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss And mad'st it pregnant: What is in me dark Illumine, what is low raise and support; That to the heighth of this great Argument I may assert Eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men.” KnowsMenWayFirstsHeartMayGodSpiritDarkSupportPureEternalLowsArgumentRaisesMadWingsTemplesJustifyPregnantProvidenceAbyssDoveBroodingParadise Lost Book 9 Book:Paradise Lost Simplified!: Includes Modern Translation, Study Guide, Historical Context, Biography, and Character Index Source: Paradise Lost Simplified!: Includes Modern Translation, Study Guide, Historical Context, Biography, and Character Index
“Name one practical, down-to-earth effect of spirituality," said the skeptic who was ready for an argument. "Here's one," said the Master. "When someone offends you, you can raise your spirits to heights where offenses cannot reach.” SaidEarthSpiritSpiritualityNamesEffectsReadyMastersArgumentRaisesPracticalsHeightOffenseSkepticDown To Earth Author:Anthony de Mello
“The Spirit never makes men the instruments of converting others until they feel that they cannot do it themselves; that their skill in argument, in persuasion, in management, avails nothing.” MenFeelsSpiritSkillsArgumentManagementInstrumentsPersuasionConverting Author:Charles Hodge