Deon Van Der Merwe

“His opposition to self-indulgent emotionalism and “phraseology” was the same as ever; his opposition to the National Socialists and all they represented was the same as ever.”
― Eric Metaxas, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

“Now the true Gospel has it that we are justified by faith alone, without the deeds of the Law. The false gospel has it that we are justified by faith, but not without the deeds of the Law. The false apostles preached a conditional gospel. So do the papists. They admit that faith is the foundation of salvation. But they add the conditional clause that faith can save only when it is furnished with good works. This is wrong. The true Gospel declares that good works are the embellishment of faith, but that faith itself is the gift and work of God in our hearts. Faith is able to justify, because it apprehends Christ, the Redeemer. Human reason can think only in terms of the Law. It mumbles: "This I have done, this I have not done." But faith looks to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, given into death for the sins of the whole world. To turn one's eyes away from Jesus means to turn them to the Law. True faith lays hold of Christ and leans on Him alone. Our opponents cannot
understand this. In their blindness they cast away the precious pearl,
Christ, and hang onto their stubborn works. They have no idea what faith is.
How can they teach faith to others?”
― Martin Luther, Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians

“I am what I am. To look for reasons is beside the point.”
― Joan Didion, Play It As It Lays

“Being ninety nine percent sure opens for a possibility that you might be a hundred percent wrong.”
― Hasse Jerner