Spurgeon on Depression

I am reading a book called Bright Days, Dark Nights on depression which deals with depression from the point of view of the life and writings of Charles Spurgeon. I have only started reading it and have already been impressed with the insights of the author, Elizabeth Skoglund.

Spurgeon struggled mightily with depression. He said:

I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to, but I always get back again by this–I know I trust Christ. I have no reliance but in him, and if he falls I shall fall with him, but if he does not, I shall not. Because he lives, I shall live also, and I spring to my legs again and fight with my depressions of spirit and my downcastings, and get the victory through it; and so may you do, and so you must, for there is no other way of escaping from it. In your most depressed seasons you are to get joy and peace through believing…Do stick to this, dear friends, ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.’

I find the simple fact that Christians can admit to depression to be encouraging. As I mentioned in my post on joy, the ‘right up, right downright happy all the time’ type of Christianity sickens me. The veneer that everything is alright when things are really a grind and a bore is not helping anyone. I thank God for honest Christians and for the Psalms.

Spurgeon Quote on His Preferred Creed

“I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist,” he once said. “I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist, but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, ‘It is Jesus Christ.’ ”

Interestingly, Spurgeon preferred to be considered a “mere Christian”.

I share Spurgeon’s sentiments as I seek to rally around Christ and think my faith “merely Christian” or “Catholic” (Universal) in nature. I am not ashamed to note the distinctives I hold too, but they are merely that, distinctives.

Quotable by John Gill on Prayer…Is he speaking of tongues???

You will find the quotes below….notice the part in bold text, which sound surprisingly similar to the “prayer language” glossolalia that some Pentecostal/Charismatic folks advocate.

1. Take notice of the various sorts of prayer, which will lead on to that; for there is a praying with all prayer, which denotes many sorts and kinds of prayer.

1a. There is mental prayer, or prayer in the heart; and, indeed, here prayer should first begin; so David found in his heart to pray ( 2 Sam. 7:27 ), and it is “the effectual fervent,” or ενεργουμενη , “the inwrought prayer of the righteous man that availeth much;” which is wrought and formed in the heart by the Spirit of God ( James 5:16 ). Such sort of prayer was that of Moses, at the Red Sea, when the Lord said to him, “Wherefore criest thou unto me?” and yet we read not of a word that was spoken by him; and of this kind was the prayer of Hannah; “She spake in her heart,” ( 1 Sam. 1:13 ) and this may be performed even without the motion of the lips, and is what we call an ejaculatory prayer, from the suddenness and swiftness of its being put up to God, like a dart shot from a bow; and which may be done in the midst of business the most public, and in the midst of, public company, and not discerned; as was the prayer of Nehemiah in the presence of the king ( Neh. 2:4, 5 ), and such prayer God takes notice of, and hears; and, as an ancient writer observes, “Though we whisper, not opening our lips, but pray in silence, cry inwardly, God incessantly hears that inward discourse,” or prayer to him, conceived in the mind.

1b. There is prayer which is audible and vocal. Some prayer is audible, yet not articulate and intelligible, or it is expressed by inarticulate sounds; as, “with groanings which cannot be uttered;” but God knows and understands perfectly the language of a groan, and hears and answers. ^[1]

 

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^{[1]John Gill: A Body of PRACTICAL Divinity. Joseph Kreifels, S. 347}

Quotable from Charles Hodge on Prayer

Hodge also preached on prayer as a means of communion with God. Prayer in his view can be solemn and formal “in the use of articulate words and on set occasions in the closet, family or sanctuary” or it can be ejaculatory “and thus constant as the bubbling of a spring of living water” or it can be on the highest level “the unuttered aspirations and longings of the soul after God, like the constant ascent of the flame towards heaven.” As this last phrase intimates Hodge’s injunctions occasionally reveal mystical language.^[1]

 

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^[1] Westminster Theological Journal. electronic edition. Philadelphia : Westminster Theological Seminary, 1998

Quotable from Tullian Tchividjian

“Younger generations don’t want trendy engagement from the church; in fact, they’re suspicious of it,” Tchividjian writes in Unfashionable. “Instead, they want truthful engagement with historical and theological solidity that enables meaningful interaction with transcendent reality. They want desperately to invest their life in something worth dying for, not some here-today-gone-tomorrow fad.“ 

This quote is from a recent article in Christianity Today. 

He is a grandson of Billy Graham and the new pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian, once filled by D. James Kennedy. His former church, New City Presbyterian, agreed to the merge. Read more here: http://theologica.blogspot.com/2009/03/tullian-tchividjian-elected-as-senior.html

Quotables by Elizabeth Achtemeier

These are all taken from The New International Biblical Commentary: Minor Prophets I -

“…Joel shows us that the true God is a God of power, the ruler of all nature and history, who has the might to offer effective love. God can do away with rebellion and his enemies on earth, and he will establish his good kingdom. No human sin or opposition will stand in the way of God’s completion of his purposes” (p. 119).

“…many in our age do not believe in sin or in a God who judges anyone. God, for many modern Americans, is rather an aggreable deity largely devoted to helping us out of difficulties, easily assuaging any guilt we may have, and making us feel as comfortable and secure as possible. As for sin, we would rather attribute evil or ‘socially unacceptable’ actions to poor environment, to faulty parenting, to inadequate schooling, and to the common human propensity for occasionally making mistakes….But we hesitate to call anything sin, because sin involves a reciprocal relationship with God, and we blithely believe that God approves of us” (pp. 130-131).

Quote of the Week from Dr. David W. Barker on Alcohol & Gluttony, Need for Pastoral Consistency

“To protect people from intoxication is laudable, but it is inappropriate to deprive people of Christian freedom based on their potential abuse. What the church should seek is Christian maturity, discipiling its members into moderation, not only in alcohol consumption, but in all things. While alcoholism is a real problem, even the daily news reports point out that obesity is much more pervasive and potentially devastating. Consistency in Christian concern for teh welfare of others must not stop, therefore, with sobriety but must also include gluttony” (David W. Baker, The NIV Application Commentary: Joel, Obadiah, Malachi, p. 63).

Quote of the Week: Thomas Watson

“There is more evil in a drop of sin than in a sea of affliction”

THOMAS WATSON

Oh that we would grieve our own sin and wickedness more than whatever affliction and suffering God’s providence sees fit for our soul. It seems that so many people are concerned about evil in the world, while oblivious to the very evil within their own hearts. The violent death of Christ Jesus demonstrates how evil and wicked sin is in that He had to suffer such. He bore our iniquities in His body. If one should ever be tempted to think our sins are but a small thing, I would direct your eyes to the blood of Christ and your ears to the groaning of death.

Rick Hogaboam’s thoughts from Watson’s quote.

Quote of the Week: John Newton (“Amazing Grace” author) warns Arrogant Calvinists

From hence we may observe, that believers who have most knowledge, are not therefore necessarily the most spiritual. Some may and do walk more honorably and more comfortably with two talents, than others with five. He who experimentally knows his own weakness, and depends simply upon the Lord, will surely thrive, though his acquired attainments and abilities may be but small; and he who has the greatest gifts, the clearest judgment, and the most extensive knowledge, if he indulges high thoughts of his advantages, is in imminent danger of mistaking, and falling at every step; for the Lord will suffer none whom he loves to boast in themselves. He will guide the meek with his eyes, and fill the hungry with good things; but the rich he sendeth empty away. It is an invariable maxim in his kingdom, that whosoever exalteth himself, shall be abased; but he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. 

Newton, John.  More Than a Calvinist

I am what can be considered a Calvinist and I just love how Newton’s Calvinism was, for him, a truth that leads to doxology….both in his beloved hymn “Amazing Grace” and in his understanding here exhibited that we must be more than a mere Calvinist, but also the most humble and contrite souls on earth. I pray that such a disposition will accompany me. 

Quote of the Week by Bible Commentator David L. Turner on Matthew 2

It is ironic that the birth of Jesus produced only anxious fear in the leaders of Israel (2:3), while it was an occasion of overwhelming joy for the mysterious Gentile wise men. The devotion of the wise men is in stark contrast to Herod’s treachery and the seeming apathy of the chief priests and teachers of the law. Why were these wise men the only ones who traveled to Bethlehem? Matthew copyright © 2005 by David L. Turner. All rights reserved.

I hope that all will join the mysterious magi this Christmas season on fall on their faces before the Sovereign King Jesus.