Buttrick on "Almighty"
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Dear Confessors,
I am using the Lutheran FOR ALL THE SAINTS for my breviary. I realize that I am in the wrong year but I just had to share part of a reading frmo George Arthur Buttrick that was in Volume II for Tuesday of the week of Pentecost 14 where Buttrick is preaching on Mark 11:27-12:12.
(page 494)
"Frequently we speak about the almightiness of God, yet here we see Him beaten in the person of one servant, killed in the person of one servant, killed in the person of another, and stoned to death in the person of a third. Almighty? A God of Power? Yes!-----for we cannot measure Divine power until we know the Divine purpose. Niagra Falls has titanic strenth to sweep a man to destruction, or to turn giant wheels; but it has no power to forgive sins, or to teach a little child to pray. Power is estimated aright only in the light of purpose. If God's purpose is a garden of redeemed humanity, the true almightiness is an almightliness of holy love. Such an almightiness this story reveaals: 'He had yet one, a beloved son: he sent him last hunot them, saying, They will reverance my son.' It was love's final and uttermost entreaty."
Chris Anderson
God Is Still Laughing
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John Cedarleaf
Buttrick was one of the great "Princes of the Pulpit" of another day along with such as Paul Scherer, Theodore Parker Ferris, John Sutherland Bonnell etc. There are some who snicker at them now, but some of them wear well indeed. I love "almightiness of holy love." As an aside, I had asked for prayers for my wife, Jean, who is undergoing chemo. Just returned from a doctor's visit and alli is going well; thanks for the prayers and please keep them up.
Blessings,
John
-- Rev. Dr.John N. Cedarleaf Pastor First Congregational United Chruch of Christ 26 E. Church St. Fairport, NY 14450 585-223-0224; 585-223-8172
Bct...@aol.com
John Cedarleaf
Thanks for your prayers. We do appreciate them.
Blessings,
John
