David

“We also give up on the quest for truth when we marshal all forces—in exegesis and history as well as in philosophical, moral, and practical theology—to “discover” and corroborate predetermined dogmatic stances.”
― Miroslav Volf, For the Life of the World (Theology for the Life of the World): Theology That Makes a Difference

“theologians do not create the “treasure” but present it ever anew; instead of “proclaiming” themselves and their theologies (see 2 Cor. 4:6), theologians proclaim, each in his or her own way, Jesus Christ, who has become for them “wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). At their best, theologians’ visions unite with their lives in seeking to be what Paul called “the aroma of Christ,” who himself is the true life (2 Cor. 2:15).”
― Miroslav Volf, For the Life of the World (Theology for the Life of the World): Theology That Makes a Difference

“Even our church growth can happen without Him. Let’s be honest: If you combine a charismatic speaker, a talented worship band, and some hip, creative events, people will attend your church. Yet this does not mean that the Holy Spirit of God is actively working and moving in the lives of the people who are coming. It simply means that you have created a space that is appealing enough to draw people in for an hour or two on Sunday.”
― Francis Chan, The Francis Chan Collection: Crazy Love, Forgotten God, Erasing Hell, and Multiply

“Many ministers are more the church’s institutional managers than its theological guides; correspondingly, many read more management (“leadership”) books than they do works of academic theology.”
― Miroslav Volf, For the Life of the World (Theology for the Life of the World): Theology That Makes a Difference