[T]extual variants need not be relegated to the status of scraps on the cutting room floor, but can also function as ‘windows’ into the world of early Christianity, its social history, and the various theological challenges it faced (The Early Text of the New Testament, eds. Charles E. Hill & Michael J. Kruger, 5).

[A] text does not have to be sacred for its original wording to matter (The Early Text of the New Testament, eds. Charles E. Hill & Michael J. Kruger, 4).

If the works of God are viewed by their own light, they naturally compel admiration and worship. Then we see that the Christian faith does not merely convey much to its own favor, but it also displays an internal beauty and, by its inherent truth and glory, commends itself to the consciences of humanity. Then we thank God, not that we must but that we may believe. Then we realize, to some extent, what our faith gives to our thinking and living. And each in his own tongue, we begin again to declare the wonderful works of God.

Herman Bavinck, The Wonderful Works of God, xxxiii.

[T]he Christian religion does not exist merely in words, in a doctrine, but that it is a work of God, in word and fact, which was accomplished in the past, is being worked out in the present, and will be fulfilled in the future.

Herman Bavinck, The Wonderful Works of God, xxxi.

God’s names are not empty sounds (like the names of people), but they have meaning and contribute to our knowledge of God.

Geerhardus Vos, Reformed Dogmatics, trans. & ed. Richard B. Gaffin Jr., 13.

That we are able to know God truly rests on the fact that God has made us in His own image, thus an impression of Himself, albeit from the greatest distance. Because we ourselves are spirit, possess a mind, will, etc., we know what it means when in His Word God ascribes these things to Himself.

Geerhardus Vos, Reformed Dogmatics, trans. & ed. Richard B. Gaffin Jr., 12.

Spurgeon puts it this way: “Holiness is not the way to Christ; Christ is the way of holiness.” Outside of Him, there is no holiness. Holiness is not a mere list of dos and don’ts; it is a life in Jesus Christ. Christ is the way of sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30).

Joel R. Beeke, Living for God’s Glory, Loc. 2838.

Can you recall a time in your life when someone has said something to you that changed the way you saw the world? . . .

A few years ago, I was preparing to teach at a recovery ministry event. A fellow leader and I were discussing some nuances on how I could best communicate a key point. This may seem a bit obscure, but he shared a phrase from the Protestant Reformation that forever shifted my thinking. These words have both haunted my theological point of view and given me great comfort ever since. It’s the crescendo statement of Martin Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation, “God’s love does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it.” . . . Let it seep into your bones.

Matt Johnson, Getting Jesus Wrong, 102-103.

The Christian life isn’t a climb to spiritual excellence and achievement; it’s a pattern of death and resurrection. Repentance and forgiveness. This is the circular pattern of the Christian life. Where the Law has said “do this and live” (and it never gets done), Jesus says, “I have done it all,” and the believer rests in that finished work. Repentance and forgiveness, repentance and forgiveness until we get that big old dirt nap. As we’ve said all along, God deals in death and resurrections, so it’s going to work out.

Matt Johnson, Getting Jesus Wrong, 91.

Sometimes I wonder why God used bread and wine to deliver grace to us. But then I think, maybe it’s because when we’re eating it’s the only time we shut up and stop talking. We stop talking about our future plans or even our own failures. While our mouths are busy consuming, God gives us the pure gift of himself. You don’t have to do anything special or be anywhere special in order to receive that.

Matt Johnson, Getting Jesus Wrong, 58.