As our love for God’s coming intensifies, there is no kind of sin which is not wiped out.—St. John Chrysostom, Homily 44 on 1 Corinthians
3 comments:
Anonymous
said...
This statement gives fodder to the idea expressed by some theologians, that Chrysostom was an outstanding preacher, but a poor theologian. Peace and Joy! George A. Marquart
George, I disagree with that assessment. I think the intent is quite similar to Luther’s sermon for Populus Sion in the Church Postils, where he says: “There is no one so well prepared for the judgment day as he who longs to be without sin. If you have such desire, what do you fear? You are then in perfect accord with the purpose of that day. It comes to set free from sin all who desire it, and you belong to that number.” We love our God’s coming in glory because that coming in glory finally shows the sins we continue to struggle with the door, and good riddance!
Will: I do not disagree with a word you or Luther wrote. The problem with the Chrysostom quote is that logic compels the conclusion that, “Before our love for God’s coming intensifies, some kind of sin is not wiped out.” Whether in the original sentence or in the conclusion that logic requires, the idea, that God’s forgiveness depends on the intensity of our love for Him, is a denial of the Gospel. I do not know whether Chrysostom meant to write that, or if, maybe it is a mistake in translation, but there is no escaping that conclusion as the sentence is written. Peace and Joy! George
3 comments:
This statement gives fodder to the idea expressed by some theologians, that Chrysostom was an outstanding preacher, but a poor theologian.
Peace and Joy!
George A. Marquart
George, I disagree with that assessment. I think the intent is quite similar to Luther’s sermon for Populus Sion in the Church Postils, where he says: “There is no one so well prepared for the judgment day as he who longs to be without sin. If you have such desire, what do you fear? You are then in perfect accord with the purpose of that day. It comes to set free from sin all who desire it, and you belong to that number.” We love our God’s coming in glory because that coming in glory finally shows the sins we continue to struggle with the door, and good riddance!
Will: I do not disagree with a word you or Luther wrote. The problem with the Chrysostom quote is that logic compels the conclusion that, “Before our love for God’s coming intensifies, some kind of sin is not wiped out.” Whether in the original sentence or in the conclusion that logic requires, the idea, that God’s forgiveness depends on the intensity of our love for Him, is a denial of the Gospel.
I do not know whether Chrysostom meant to write that, or if, maybe it is a mistake in translation, but there is no escaping that conclusion as the sentence is written.
Peace and Joy!
George
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