An Interview With People From Church History. . . (Just a bit of fun)

There are nuggets of wealth to be found in the Christian's who've went before, and in pondering some of the quotes i've came across recently i thought i'd interview these guys in order to thrust their words forward here. Weird i know, but hey, it's a bit of fun.



Perhaps Mr Flavel would start us off. What is the most delightful thing in the world?

John Flavel: "Christ is the very essence of all delights and pleasures, the very soul and substance of them. As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, which is the meeting-place of all the waters in the world, so Christ is that ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet."


A question to Mr Luther, our culture today is very much into self worth and self value, and it would be very easy for successful ministers of the Gospel to struggle with pride. What would you say to such ministers?

Martin Luther: "If, you feel and are inclined to think you have made it, flattering yourself with your own little books, teaching, or writing, because you have done it beautifully and preached excellently; if you are highly pleased when someone praises you in the presence of others; if you perhaps look for praise, and would sulk or quit what you are doing if you did not get it--if you are of that stripe, dear friend, then take yourself by the ears, and if you do this in the right way you will find a beautiful pair of big, long, shaggy donkey ears."


Mr Calvin, there are many new Churches, house groups and the like springing up around the place. What would you say about this?

John Calvin: “Wherever we find the Word of God surely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to the institution of Christ, there, it is not to be doubted, is a church of God.”


Moving on from John Calvin, Mr Henry, some who strongly believe in God's sovereignty also fall into fatalism and actually move into risk for risks sake rather than the Gospels. What would you say about this?

Matthew Henry: "those who passionately desire death commonly have least reason to do it, as being very much unprepared for it. Our business is to get ready to die by doing the work of life, and then to refer ourselves to God to take away our life when and how he pleases."


Christians sometimes get a bad wrap for being serious and not having a laugh . . . no John, don't raise your hand for that one, we'll ask Mr Luther.

Martin Luther: “If you are not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there”


Alright, so i take it you like a laugh. Also to Martin, what advice would you pour into the so called 'worship wars'?

Martin Luther: “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us”


There are so many denominations and differing views, Richard have you any advice for leaders & members of the various churches etc ?

Richard Baxter: “Unity in things Necessary, Liberty in things Unnecessary, and Charity in all”


Great advice. Mr. Owen would you give some advice to Christians concerning sin?

John Owen: “When sin lets us alone we may let sin alone; but as sin is never less quiet than when it seems to be most quiet, and its waters are for the most part deep when they are still, so ought our contrivances against it to be vigorous at all times and in all”


Ugh, okay, i need to think about that John, so here seems like a good place to finish. Thanks to all of you guys for your nuggets of wisdom that still speaks in our day.