The "Gospel" Coalition Says You Can Know God's Goodness Through Eating Honey

More problems are coming from The "Gospel" Coalition, this time by Piper's Bethlehem Seminary professor, Joe Rigney, in his article, "How Honey Helps Us Taste God". Also straw man arguments from elitists. This is dangerous. Notice the sloppiness of definitions (or lack of them) and the blurring between the temporal and the eternal. 

Excerpt:

When we savor the sweetness of honey or sweet tea or pumpkin crunch cake, we engage in a fancy bit of “reading.” We transpose the physical enjoyment of taste onto our souls and offer thanks to God, not only for the simple pleasures of food but also for the spiritual pleasures to which the food is but a fitting echo.

But this means we can’t short-circuit the enjoyment of the honey. In order for us to gain the full spiritual benefit of honey, we must really enjoy its sweetness...

If rejecting God’s goodness in creation is demonic, then might there not be more subtle forms of this temptation, such “schemes of the Devil”? Ask yourself the following questions and probe the reasons for your answers:

Do I feel a low-grade sense of guilt because I enjoy legitimate earthly pleasures?

Is this guilt connected to any particular, concrete sinful attitude or action? Or is it rooted in a vague sense that I’m not enjoying God enough (whatever that means) or that I’m enjoying his gifts “too much”?

Am I attempting to detach from creation and God’s gifts out of fear of idolatry, lest my love for them surpass my affections for him?

Am I overly suspicious of created things, looking at my delight in ice cream and sunny spring days and hugs from my spouse with a wary and skeptical eye, perpetually unsure whether they’re too precious to me?

Do I have the sense that as I progress in holiness, my enjoyment of fresh raspberries and hiking in the mountains and an evening of games and laughter with old friends ought to diminish, because I’m becoming increasingly satisfied with God alone?

Do I regard certain activities like prayer, worship, and Bible reading as inherently more holy and virtuous than others like doing my job or listening to music or taking a nap?

My point is not that you shouldn’t worry about the danger of idolatry. Far from it. Good gifts really can become distractions that keep us from communing with God. Idolatry isn’t a game; it’s a suicidal reality that wrecks our souls and awakens the wrath of a jealous God. My concern is that, in general, thinning out the gifts and rejecting the stuff and suppressing our delight in created things actually hinders our growth in grace and our ability to resist the pull of the Devil’s lies. In fact, by stiff-arming created things, we miss the crucial role they play in the faithful Christian life.

End quote.

This  just a repackaged self-love teaching. Reminds me of Piper and his "Christian hedonism".

Aren't we supposed to be seeking the things that are above where Christ is seated and aren't we supposed to be seeking to do the "one anothers"? Isn't that the opposite of the seek pleasures of the flesh as a spiritual pursuit?

I also find such notions trite as we who are boldly standing for the Truth and wage war against the wiles of the enemy as well as our own flesh, don't have the same temporal fascination as these hedonists. We aren't in a sandbox, we're at war. To deal with such heavy artillery from Satan and then have a religious elite say "Just eat for pleasure" and "look at my ice cream" and "smell the flowers"  etc, is nothing short of what Joel Osteen teaches as does John Piper.

I actually do think that reading Scripture is far more important than a mere nap. One has eternal value, the other is temporal. It's this mixing up and blurring of the lines that really bothers me.

Lev 10:10 You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses."

2Co 4:18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Especially ridiculous is this particular line, which is far from exgeting Scripture:

"Honey is “good,” and we are exhorted in Psalm 34 to “taste and see that the LORD is good!” Our souls have taste buds, just like our tongues, and we can train the soul-buds by exercising the tongue-buds. When we savor the sweetness of honey or sweet tea or pumpkin crunch cake, we engage in a fancy bit of “reading.” "

God is not saying to taste Him by eating honey. Ps 34 doesn't even mention eating honey. It is talking to those who are in trials to look to the faithfulness and goodness of God and that we are to fear Him. Just because "taste" is in that verse and then in one about eating honey doesn't mean they are related. That's mishandling Scripture.  

Pro 24:11  Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. 

Pro 24:12  If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? 

Pro 24:13  My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 

Pro 24:14  Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. 

It seems Prov. 24, which Rigney uses to prove his point, is actually making the opposite point: the temporal is obvious to people, but the eternal is true wisdom from God is spiritual and has long lasting benefits. It has nothing to do with eating honey to taste the goodness of God.

Tasting the goodness of God is spiritual:

Heb 6:4  For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5  and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 

John MacArthur notes on this verse:

"This is not a command to eat honey, but an analogy to seek the sweetness of wisdom's rewards." The cross reference given is:

Psa 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 

Psa 19:8  the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 

Psa 19:9  the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 

Psa 19:10  More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 

Psa 19:11  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 

Tasting the Lord's goodness is not by the flesh but by the spirit. The world eats honey and all kinds of food, but so what? They don't come to know Him by that. In fact, this reeks of natural theology. 

Pursuing God by the flesh is anti-Biblical. It also determines God's goodness by circumstances which is also sinful. What happens when there is no honey or ice cream or family ? What happens when all turn on you and persecute you b/c of Christ Jesus? What if that bitter cup? Do you then determine He is not good or is mean ? Such heinous and fleshly and temporal and earthly views are worthless as well as detrimental.
Such a theology doesn't work in Africa or other third world countries. It doesn't work 
in persecution. Paul didn't get to know God by earthly pleasures of honey or ice cream or family and friends. He was beaten, ship wrecked, and deserted by everyone at one point. Yet he knew God's grace all the more. He knew of God's faithfulness all the more. In times of want, not merely times of plenty, he knew what it meant to be content in all things. That is not what Joel Rigney is promoting.

Joh 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Co 4:18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Psa 84:10  For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 

Rom 5:2  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 
Rom 5:3  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 
Rom 5:4  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 

Rom 5:5  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 

Jas 1:2  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 
Jas 1:3  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 

Jas 1:4  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Is not the definition of an idol of the heart one in which an object competes with Jesus? We should never place family or any other thing on par (or even close to being on par) with Christ. Moreover, if we are more loyal to them rather than to biblical doctrine and thus the Bible's Author, then we have already idolized them are are in sin. 

If the pleasures of this world are more interesting and enjoyable than sitting at the Master's feet, then we are idolizing those things. If we are gluttonous with food (honey, ice cream), we are sinning, no matter how you try to sanitize it with Christianese.  If we place Scripture last (aka "ultimate") in our lives, then we are idolizing something else. 

Are we not to enjoy God's gracious gifts? Of course we are. James 1 says, after talking about the view of counting all trials with joy and that they are for our spiritual growth (earthly pleasures are not listed) it says God is the giver of all good gifts, primarily and supremely Scripture and eternal life (see the context). Proverbs and Ecclesiastes also talk about enjoying the life God has given us. However, it does not command or infer that to enjoy temporal things = knowing God. We know that from Heb. 11:

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 

Heb 11:2  For by it the people of old received their commendation. 

Heb 11:35  Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 

Heb 11:36  Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 

Heb 11:37  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—

Heb 11:38  of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 

Heb 11:39  And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 

Heb 11:40  since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 

Recognizing God's gracious gifts to us and praising Him for them is commanded, but it is not the vessel through which we know God. We know Him through a new heart and through His Spirit and Scripture (John 14-15 calls it abiding in Him). Earthly pleasures are temporary and tainted and very circumstantial. But knowing God is so much more deeper than mere flesh.

2Pe 1:3  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 

2Pe 1:4  by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 

2Pe 1:5  For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 

2Pe 1:6  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 

2Pe 1:7  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 

2Pe 1:8  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2Pe 1:9  For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 

2Pe 1:10  Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 

2Pe 1:11  For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

2Pe 1:12  Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 

2Pe 3:18  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

God Sees Our Secret Sins

"You have set our iniquities before You, our secrets sins in the light of Your countenance!" Psalm 90:8

God is privy to your most secret sins! His eye is as much uponsecret sins, as it is upon open sins. God has an eye upon our inmost evils. He sees all that is done in the dark.

As we are never out of the reach of God's hand,
so we are never from under the view of God's eye. 
Oh! what dreadful atheism is bound up in that man's heart, who is more afraid of the eye of his father, his neighbor, his child--than he is of the eye and presence of the eternal God! Those who wallow in secret sins, act as if there were . . .

  no God to behold them,
  nor conscience to accuse them,
  nor judgment-day to arraign them,
  nor justice to condemn them,
  nor Hell to torment them!
All men's secret sins are printed in Heaven, and God will at last read them aloud in the ears of all the world! Though they may escape the eyes of men--yet they shall never escape the judgment of God!

"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12:14

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account!" Hebrews 4:13

"Be sure your sin will find you out!" Numbers 32:23

"Cleanse me from secret faults!" Psalm 19:12

~Thomas Brooks

The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Scripture

The blessed Scriptures are of infinite worth and value! 


Here you may find . . .
  a remedy for every disease,
  a balm for every wound,
  a plaster for every sore,
  milk for babes,
  meat for strong men,
  comfort for the afflicted,
  support for the tempted,
  solace for the distressed,
  ease for the wearied,
  a staff to support the feeble,
  a sword to defend the weak.

The holy Scriptures are . . .
  the map of God's mercy — and man's misery,
  the touchstone of truth,
  the shop of remedies against all maladies,
  the hammer of vices,
  the treasury of virtues,
  the exposer of all sensual and worldly vanities,
  the balance of equity,
  the most perfect rule of all justice and honesty.

Ah, friends, no book befits your hands like the Bible!

~Thomas Brooks

2Ti 3:16  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

Col 2:2  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4  I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 

Mat 4:4  But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

Christ Jesus: the glorious theme of Scripture, the substance of the Gospel

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Jesus is the one great theme both of the Old Testament and the New. The whole Bible is designed to testify ofChrist, "The Scriptures point to Me!" John 5:39

In Christ the Messiah, in Jesus the Savior, in the Son of God the Redeemer — all the truths of the Bible center. 

To Him all the types and shadows point! 

Of Him all the prophecies give witness! 

All the glory of the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation — culminates at the cross of Christ!

The Bible would be an inexplicable mystery apart from Christ, who unfolds and explains it all. 

He is the golden Key which unlocks the divine treasury of Scriptural revelation! 

Until He is seen, the Bible is, in a sense — a great mystery. But when He is found, it is a glorious revelation. Every mystery is opened, every enigma explained, every discrepancy harmonized, and every truth and page, sentence and word, quickened with a life and glowing with a light flowing down from the throne of the Eternal God. 

Christ is the substance of the Gospel. 
All its divine doctrines, 
all its holy precepts, 
all its gracious instructions, 
all its precious promises, 
all its glorious hopes —  
meet, center, and fill up their entire compass in Jesus! 

He is the Alpha and the Omega of the Bible, from the first verse in Genesis — to the last verse in Revelation. 

Oh, study the Scriptures of truth with a view of learning Christ. 

Do not study the Bible as a mere history. 
Do not read it as a mere poem. 
Do not search it as a book of science. 
It is all that, but infinitely more. 
The Bible is the Book of Jesus! 
It is a Revelation of Christ! 

Christ is the golden thread which runs through the whole! 
Blessed Lord Jesus! I will read and study and dig into the Scriptures to find and learn more of You! 

You, Immanuel, are the fragrance of this divine box of precious ointment. 
You are the beauteous gem sparkling in this divine cabinet. 
You are the Tree of life planted in the center of this divine garden. 
You are the Ocean whose stream quickens and nourishes all who draw water out of this divine well of salvation. 

The Bible is all about You!

by Octavius Winslow

Col 2:2  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,3  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Faith

"A natural faith is sufficient for trusting a human object; but a supernatural faith is required to savingly trust in a Divine object."

~Arthur Pink, "Studies On Saving Faith"

Exalting Scripture Above All Things

Psa 138:2  I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

You will never hear Jesus Christ ever say "You held My Word too high" or "You were overly committed to My Word."

Never.

Yet you will hear "Christians" say just that. You will hear them accuse biblical Christians of "worshiping" the Bible. But you will never hear God say that. Why? Because He Himself exalts His Word above all things. He holds it higher than anything else. We are to treasure what He treasures, exalt what He exalts.

No one can exalt Scripture too highly.

The Sufficiency of Scripture

A martyr's Bible 

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"Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long!" Psalm 119:97
The whole of Scripture is but one entire love letter, dispatched from the Lord Christ, to His beloved spouse! 

Oh! the mysteries, the excellencies, the glories which are in this incomparable book! There are none so useful, none so needful, none so delightful, none so necessary to make you happy and to keep you happy--as this!

Ah! the Word of the Lord is . . .
  a light to guide you,
  a counselor to counsel you,
  a comforter to comfort you,
  a staff to support you,
  a sword to defend you, 
  a physician to cure you! 

The Word is . . . 
  a mine to enrich you,
  a robe to clothe you, 
  a crown to crown you. 
  bread to strengthen you, 
  wine to cheer you, 
  a honeycomb to feast you, 
  music to delight you, 
  a paradise to entertain you!

Oh! therefore, before all and above all:
  search the Scripture,
  study the Scripture,
  meditate on the Scripture,
  delight in the Scripture,
  treasure up the Scripture! 

There is . . .
  no wisdom like Scripture wisdom,
  no knowledge like Scripture knowledge,
  no experience like Scripture experience,
  no comforts like Scripture comforts,
  no delights like Scripture delights,
  no convictions like Scripture convictions,
  no conversion like Scripture conversion!

I exhort you to a speedy, serious, diligent, 
and constant study of the Scripture. 
Ah! you do not know how soon . . . 
  your blind minds may be enlightened,
  your hard hearts may be softened,
  your proud spirits may be humbled, 
  your sinful natures may be changed,
  your defiled consciences may be purged,
  your distempered affections may be regulated,
  and your poor souls may be saved . . .
    by searching into the Scriptures,
    by reading the Scripture, and 
    by pondering upon the Scripture. 

Ah! if you do not in good earnest,
give yourself up . . .
  to the reading,
  to the studying,
  to the pondering, 
  to the believing,
  to the practicing,
  to the applying, and
  to the living up to the Scripture--
Satan will be too hard for you, 
the world will be too hard for you, 
your lusts will be too hard for you, 
temptations will be too hard for you, 
deceivers will be too hard for you, 
and in the end you will be miserable!

(Thomas Brooks, "Apples of Gold" 1660)

Boycott Chick-fil-A?

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The Pictures Say It All

Oh the irony and spiritual harlotry.... This is absolute blasphemy and anti-biblical. The photos say it all. This is in our local religious bookstore.

I saw trinkets for  kids' first mass with a silver container to keep the Eucharist plus a bonus rosary.

When Tolerance Is Sin

This is a good article on the sin of unbiblical tolerance, by William MacDonald as shared by Take Heed Ministries:

Tolerance can be a virtue, but it can also betray an inexcusable weakness of character. We admire the person who tolerates differences where no great issue is at stake. He allows for a variety of preferences, methods and unimportant viewpoints. He would rather be killed for a sheep than for a lamb.

But there is another tolerance that is despicable. This is the willingness to remain silent when God’s name is blasphemed or when Christ is dishonoured. It is the treachery of silence when truth is on the scaffold. It is the unwillingness to speak out against evil. Tolerance that condones deceit and unrighteousness is sin.

Those who think that Jesus was always tolerant should read Matthew 23, a denunciation of hypocrisy. This passage proves forever that our Lord was capable of scathing indignation at the pretence of religious leaders. Or they should read Revelation 2:20 where He condemned the church in Thyatira for tolerating a woman teacher named Jezebel....

End quote.

Read the rest here.

2Co 10:5  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 

2Jo 1:9  Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11  for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

1Co 5:11  But now I am writing to  you NOT TO ASSOCIATE  with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one. 

Who's Side Are You On?

2Co 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

If we're supposed to be destroying every argument and opinion that is raised against Christ, then why are so many trying to accept such arguments and opinions and consider them valid enough to accept them among "believers" as credible? Evolution is an example. It sets itself up against Christ and we're to destroy it, yet how many accept it? Just who's side are we really on if we accept that which we're demanded to destroy?

This is a Lordship issue. A truth issue. An issue of true faith.

It's All Essential

There is nothing in this Bible which is unimportant. Every verse in it has a solemn meaning, and if we have not found it out yet, we hope yet to do it.

~Spurgeon

Right Focus

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I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fulness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want.

~ Matthew Henry

Tullian Tchividjian Says Forgiveness Isn't Dependent Upon Purity of One's Confession

Tullian said on his FB page:

Tullian Tchividjian

9 hrs · 

Christ's forgiveness of your sins is not dependent on the purity of your confession, but rather the purity of his sacrifice.

End quote.

As Karen from Girded with Truth blog shared,

CONFESSION OF SIN. We know that this is absolutely necessary to salvation. Unless there be a true and hearty confession of our sins to God, we have no promise that we shall find mercy through the blood of the Redeemer. "Whosoever confesseth his sins and forsaketh them shall find mercy." But there is no promise in the Bible to the man who will not confess his sins. Yet, as upon every point of Scripture there is a liability of being deceived, so more especially in the matter of confession of sin. There be many who make a confession, and a confession before God, who notwithstanding, receive no blessing, because their confession has not in it certain marks which are required by God to prove it genuine and sincere, and which demonstrate it to be the work of the Holy Spirit.
~ C.H. Spurgeon
So true.

A heart that does not *really* agree with God that one's sin *is* sin, is still in rebellion toward God and is still married to his sin. This is nothing but phariseeism. Mouthing the words, but the heart is far from God, still standing in pride and self-righteousness.
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 

1Jn 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
1Jn 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

Psa 51:3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

“If the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord’s will but does not mean to attend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved. Do not suppose that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified by going to the worldlings and telling them that they may be saved at this moment by simply accepting Christ as their Savior, while they are wedded to their idols, and their hearts are still in love with sin. If I do so I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel , insult Christ, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness.” 

~CH Spurgeon

The Atonement

"Few seem to realize the fearful implications which necessarily follow the principles they hold and advocate. To predicate an atonement which fails to atone, a redemption which does not redeem, a sacrifice which secures not the actual remission of sins is a horrible reflection upon all the attributes of God. To make the efficacy or success of the greatest of all God's works dependent upon the choice of fallen and depraved creatures is to magnify man at the cost of dethroning his Maker."

~Arthur Pink, "The Satisfaction of Christ, Studies in the Atonement"