It is not possible to be 'incidentally a Christian.' The fact of Christianity must be overwhelmingly first or nothing. This suggests a reason for the dislike of Christians by nominal or non-Christians: their lives contain no overwhelming first but many balances.
Sheldon VanaukenBut Love is the final reality; and anyone who does not understand this, be he writer or sage, is a man flawed in wisdom.
Sheldon VanaukenBut I was not obeying the first and greatest commandment - to love God first - nor is it clear that I was obeying the second - to love my neighbour. Hating the oppressors of my neighbour isn't perhaps quite what Christ had in mind.
Sheldon VanaukenSigns must be read with caution. The history of Christendom is replete with instances of people who misread the signs.
Sheldon VanaukenNot only are we harried by time, we seem unable, despite a thousand generations, even to get used to it. We are always amazed at itโhow fast it goes, how slowly it goes, how much of it is gone. Where, we cry, has the time gone? We arenโt adapted to it, not at home in it. If that is so, it may appear as a proof, or at least a powerful suggestion, that eternity exists and is our home.
Sheldon Vanauken