July 5

On Doctrine: False

Men go after novel and false doctrines because they do not really know the truth; for if the truth had gotten into them and filled them, they would not have room for these day-dreams. GS108

“It has been well remarked by a great writer, that he never knew a man who held any great theological error, who did not also hold a doctrine which diminished the depravity of man.” (251.210)

“Ah! brethren and sisters, beware of thinking too little of the fall. Slight thoughts upon the fall are at the root of false theologies; the mischief that has been wrought in us is not a trifling matter, but a thing to be trembled at.” (790.26)

“Every age produces a new crop of heretics and infidels. Just as the current of the times may run, so doth the stream of infidelity change its direction. We have lived long enough, some of us, to see three or four species of atheists and deists rise and die, for they are short lived, an ephemeral generation.” (791.6)

“No error would live if it did not chime in with some evil propensity of human nature, if it did not gratify some error in man to which it is congruous.” (1248.447)

“All systems of theology, except that which is founded upon free grace, in some way or other take off the edge of guilt.” (1416.301)

“Some people can eat sawdust, and make a meal of shadows. I could almost wish it were true of them, that they could drink any deadly thing, and it should not hurt them; for assuredly they do drink very deadly things when they go to the tavern of modern thought.” (2039.459)

“One said the other day, that to lay sin upon Christ, and to treat him as guilty, and let him die for the unjust, was not just. Yet the objector went on to say that God forgave men freely without any atonement at all. Of this wise critic I would ask—Is that just? Is it just to pass by breaches of the law without a penalty? Why any law at all? and why should men care whether they keep it or break it?” (2207.305)

“If you meet with a system of theology which magnifies man, flee from it as far as you can.” (2784.294)

“The teachers of the modern school of theology work in a kind of god-factory.” (2834.266)

“All errors will die in due time.” (3142.214)