The state is concerned with the promotion of outward righteousness arising from the individual being constrained to keep the law. The Gospel alters human nature, whereas the state merely restrains human greed and evil, having no positive power to alter human motivation.

Clergy had a vested interest in retaining the old, ways, which made few demands of them as teachers, as spiritual guides, or as moral examples or agents.

If there is no ultimate reality, it's pointless to think about how we might get there.

Our present world contains clues...to another world-a world which we can begin to experience now, but will only know in all its fullness at the end of things.

The most radical question which anyone can be asked is not how much their possessions cost, but whether they have found something of value - that is, something that makes living worthwhile.

Suffering does not call into question the "big picture" of the Christian faith. It reminds us that we do not see the whole picture, and are thus unable to fit all of the pieces neatly into place.

Hope is a settled state of mind, in which we see the world in its true light, and look forward to our final homecoming in heaven.