Show Notes
Books Referenced
Summa Theologiae by Thomas Aquinas Question #62 “The Theological Virtues”
Faith in the Fire by Gardner C Taylor
Faith. Hope. Love. The Christ-Centered Way to Grow in Grace by Mark Jones
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
Scripture Referenced
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." - Matthew 7:24-27
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:20
9 Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. - Matthew 6:9-10
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:14-21
Quotations
The Nicene Creed ends this way: We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."
Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead myself. Is everything sad going to come untrue? What's happened to the world?"
A great Shadow has departed," said Gandalf, and then he laughed and the sound was like music, or like water in a parched land; and as he listened the thought came to Sam that he had not heard laughter, the pure sound of merriment, for days upon days without count.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
See discussion in Michael Kruger, https://www.michaeljkruger.com/is-everything-sad-going-to-come-untrue-eschatology-in-the-lord-of-the-rings/
We have found our faith in the keeping power of God in flames and trials. Our faith, which holds, is born in the fire. All of us who have won are winning our faith in the fires, which have swept our lives. Those fires that scorch our inmost souls and sear our noblest dreams can declare that we know no other strength but that strength which is from above.
Taylor and Taylor, Faith in the Fire : Wisdom for Life, 210
Love is beyond any sickly sentimentality but hardheaded, softhearted good-will. Love is the word of selfless kindliness, God-touched concern. Real love is nobler and higher than other concerns. It goes on, despite barriers, doing its work, bearing its load, climbing its hill, and carrying its cross. It does not look for what it can get but what it can give. This kind of selfless, seeking goodwill is the essential element of good character. Love is the heartbeat of the Eternal. Love suggest that our hearts have been invaded by a desire to be aggressive, questing and seeking goodwill. We Can’t trust this kind of love because it is lasting, rugged, and endures the test.
Gardner C. Taylor, faith in the fire, wisdom for life., Page 29–30.
To be a Christian, one must possess faith, hope, and love. To miss one is to have missed them all; to have one is to have them all. They all depend on one another. We believe in God’s love; we hope for God’s love; and we love him for his love. Yet love is the greatest because it’s limits extend beyond the limits of faith and hope. We believe for ourselves in order to be justified. We hope for ourselves in order to receive what is promised. But we love not only for ourselves but also for others...
Mark Jones, Faith. Hope. Love. The Christ-Centered Way to Grow in Grace. 248.
