Reformation Thought Quotes

“One of the most effective ways of changing the way people think is to change the way they worship.”
― Alister E. McGrath, Reformation Thought: An Introduction

“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, Reformation Thought: An Introduction

“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, Reformation Thought: An Introduction

“Clergy had a vested interest in retaining the old, ways, which made few demands of them as teachers, as spiritual guides, or as moral examples or agents.”
― Alister E. McGrath, Reformation Thought: An Introduction

“We must not think that religious concerns swamped all other social activities. They simply provided a focal point for them.”
― Alister E. McGrath, Reformation Thought: An Introduction

“For Luther, it (faith) is an undeviating, trusting outlook appointment life, a constant stance of the trustworthiness of the promises of God.”
― Alister E. McGrath, Reformation Thought: An Introduction

“Martin Luther arrived at his earthshaking conclusions imbued with biblical exposition. As a professor, he taught the book of Psalms verse by verse from 1513 to 1515, Romans from 1515 to 1516, Galatians from 1516 until 1517, the book of Hebrews from 1517 to 1518 and then the Psalms again from 1519 until 1521.”
― Alister E. McGrath, Reformation Thought: An Introduction

“The author compares the struggles of Martin Luther with the prevailing doctrine that a little genuine effort on our part results in a disproportionate reward of God's righteousness with a blind man who would be given $1 million – if only he could see.”
― Alister E. McGrath, Reformation Thought: An Introduction