Greg Johnson
LightNews LightNews
banner
pteranodo.bsky.social
Greg Johnson
@pteranodo.bsky.social
680 followers 1.3K following 580 posts
"The Church of the present day has as yet much to learn in the carrying out of the principles underlying this verse."
- Revere Franklin Weidner
Posts Replies Media Videos
pteranodo.bsky.social
Justin Perkins, #Presbyterian missionary, says nonbelievers were created by the evils of American slavery. Likewise, tyrants are encouraged to reject faith and democracy.

Some point to unpopularity of US at the UN as evidence that the countries hate God.

How can you witness to Christ?
#Christian
JUSTIN PERKINS (1805-1869) "OUR COUNTRY'S SIN" "How many infidels and skeptics are made by these causes in our own country; and how many scoffers and tyrants are thus armed and panoplied against freedom and Protes-tantism, throughout the world!"
November 11, 2025 at 12:55 PM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Anthony Farindon, #Anglican, says that justice gives every person their own, but ”locks up” goods. Mercy opens up these treasuries, and make others the beneficiaries of our gathering, or co-gatherers with us.

Do we instead celebrate miserliness?

Do you have any co-gatherers?
ANTHONY FARINDON (1598-1658) "SERMON IX THE LOVE OF MERCY" "Justice and honesty give every man his own; but mercy openeth those treasuries which justice might lock up, and taketh from us that which is legally ours, maketh others gatherers with us and partakers of our basket, and bringeth them under our own vine and fig-tree."
November 10, 2025 at 11:05 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Llewelyn John Evans, #Presbyterian, says we must bear each other’s burdens, and fight the indulgence and apathy to other’s problems as long as we are okay. We must keep our hearts tender and soft.

Contrast w/ modern teachings on manliness.

How can you keep your heart tender and soft?
#christian
LLEWELYN JOHN EVANS (1833-1902) "BEARING EACH OTHER'S BURDENS" "We must fight this tendency to apathy and self-indulgence, this fatalistic selfish acquiescence in the crushing out of others, provided only that our own burdens are easily borne. We must keep our hearts tender and soft."
November 9, 2025 at 11:46 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Well yes. I would recommend restricting your your-end #charitable #giving to a #humanitarian org that is actively posting here:

bsky.app/profile/did:...
November 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Charles Spurgeon, #Baptist, says Job based his compassion (chapters 29 & 31) upon God’s own mercy (23:11).

It seems too many Christians today have taken to defending churlishness and a lack of liberality as The Way Things Ought To Be?

How can you observe the steps of God’s mercy?
#spiritualjourney
CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON (1834 - 1892) "The Fair Portrait of a Saint" "Job had observed the steps of God's mercy that he might be pitiful and compassionate. He had observed the steps of God's bounty that he might never be guilty of churlishness or lack of liberality."
November 8, 2025 at 11:30 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Peter Randolph, #Baptist pastor, cites outrages of slavery, and then points a finger northward. No one should be content when another’s rights are disregarded, as the North has been.

Do you set aside tiny outrages for the advancement of your “larger” agendas?

How can you not be content?
#christian
PETER RANDOLPH (c1825-1897) From slave cabin to the pulpit "While speaking on this subject of southern outrages, permit me to say this also : that I believe much responsibility rests on the North in regard to this whole matter. The North should not be content as long as one man is oppressed, and his rights disregarded."
November 7, 2025 at 9:59 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Charles Henry Parkhurst, #Presbyterian anti-corruption pastor, sees Jesus promising the world will be made good. So go help and reform.

Do some take cues from bible to let the world go to hell in a handbasket?

How can you make the world a better place?
#christian
CHARLES HENRY PARKHURST (1842-1933) "THE HIDDEN LEAVEN" ... we are enabled with strong hands to climb up into the confidence that it is God's intention to have the whole world in course of time made thoroughly good; 'till the whole was leavened, our verse [Matthew 13:33] says."
November 7, 2025 at 2:28 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Samuel Ringgold Ward, #Congregationalist, comments on life under enslavement. Slave-catchers shot a free person in the head, were exonerated by an elder of the Presbyterian Church!

Are there any cases today where #Presbyterian elders exonerate those using excessive force?

How can you be peaceful?
SAMUEL RINGGOLD WARD (1779-1831) Autobiography of a Fugitive Negro "The slave-catchers then shot him in the head. ... I am sorry to be obliged to add, that the United States Circuit Court decided that these five men used no undue, unnecessary, or illegal severity, in their attempt to take William Thomas. So pronounced his Honour Judge Grier, an elder in a Presbyterian Church ! "
November 6, 2025 at 10:01 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was a #Congregationalist minister who started a school for the deaf. He offers a celebration of what his school was able to do for the children.

There you go.

What kinds of parents’ anguish do we read about today? Do you read about, but your neighbors do not?
#christian
THOMAS HOPKINS GALLAUDET (1787-1851) DISCOURSE XVI "Ah! my hearers, I could spread before you scenes of a mother's anguish, I could read to you letters of a father's anxiety, which would not fail to move your hearts to pity, and your eyes to tears, and to satisfy you that the prospect which the instruction of their deaf and dumb children opens to parents, is a balm for one of the keenest of sorrows, inasmuch as it is a relief for what has been hitherto considered an irremediable misfortune."
November 5, 2025 at 10:47 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Martin Luther, a #Lutheran, says you must leave to the state to prevent injury. We are to reinforce commandments with rebuke, to pity the prisoner.

Do some foment non-pity today?

How can you have pity for those who have merited punishments?
#christian #lutheran
MARTIN LUTHER (1483 - 1546) "Treatise on Good Works" "Likewise it is not fitting that the magistrates should be idle and allow sin to have sway, and that we say nothing. My own posses-sions, my honor, my injury, I must not regard, nor grow angry because of them; but God's honor and Commandment we must protect, and injury or injustice to our neighbor we must prevent, the magistrates with the sword, the rest of us with reproof and rebuke, yet always with pity for those who have merited the punishment."
November 4, 2025 at 10:33 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Mark Hopkins, #Congregationalist, says there’s a social principle in Christianity, which would start with affectionate greetings and go on to cultivation of love. As important as teaching on the institutions.

How can you manifest natural affection to strangers and brethren ? #christian
MARK HOPKINS (1802-1887) SERMON, May 30, 1843 ... the social principle in all its forms, from the slightest manifestation of natural affection and neighborly kindness up to the peculiar love which Christians bear each other, ought to be cultivated in the church, and to be associated with the worship and the institutions of religion."
November 3, 2025 at 10:25 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Christmas Evans, #Welsh, says Jesus gathered up BOTH those with spiritual deficits (the lost) and physical (lepers, blind). He gave mercy and grace.

Do we bristle at the very mention of our least-favorite group?

How can remember poor even when discussing orthodox spirituality? #christian #mercy
CHRISTMAS EVANS (1766-1838) ON THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST'S ASCENSION "So rapidly he [Jesus] travelled over the hills of poverty, sufferings and death, that he was gathering up from every quarter the poor, the blind, and the lame, the lepers, the lunatics, and the demoniacs, the lost, the ruined, and the dead, as the objects of grace and mercy."
November 2, 2025 at 10:26 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Martin Luther, a #Lutheran, contrasts living for self vs. for neighbor, where you teach, rebuke, and provide any help they may need.

Are there those who are happy to rebuke because that’s all the neighbor really needs?

How can you strive for all of these?
#christian #reformationday
MARTIN LUTHER (1483 - 1546) "First Sunday After Easter" "Accursed be the life, where one lives only for himself and not for his neighbor; and on the contrary, blessed be the life, in which one lives not for himself but for his neighbor and serves him by teaching, by rebuke, by help and by whatever manner and means."
November 1, 2025 at 10:28 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
William Tyndale, English martyr, builds on two parables (Lk 16, 18) to say the rich ruler didn’t love neighbor, as it grieved him to give aid.

I’ve hear of the ruler, but never reflected that his crime was in not wanting to AID someone.

How can you shew the deeds of love?
#christian
WILLIAM TYNDALE (1494 - 1536) THE PARABLE OF WICKED MAMMON "[The rich young ruler] supposed that he loved his neighbor as himself. But when he was bid to shew the deeds of love, and give of his abundance to them that needed, he departed mourning which is an evident token that he loved not his neighbour as well as himself; for if he had need himself, it would not have grieved him to have received succour of another man."
October 31, 2025 at 9:15 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Richard Sibbes, #Puritan, says God comforts through the Holy Spirt, but more often through the help of others.

Looking at some believers, do you see this connection?

How can you accept his many comforts and be feathers in these wings?
RICHARD SIBBES (1577-1635) Soul's Conflict and Victory over Itself by Faith "... for though sometimes the Spirit of God immediately comforts the soul, which is the sweetest, yet for the most part the Sun of righteousness that hath healing in his wings, conveyeth the beams of his comfort by the help of others, in whom he will have much of our comfort to lie hid..."
October 30, 2025 at 10:52 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Thomas Manton, #Puritan says the rich given more ways to do good, yet “usually have the least hearts”, to spiritual harm.
No mention of the state or regulation.

Today, is “severe account” to those who pester wealth creators?

How can you hold yourself to a severe account in the field of doing good?
THOMAS MANTON (1620 - 1677) EXPOSITION UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES "To rich men much is committed; they have more opportunities and obligations to do good than others, and yet usually have least hearts, and therefore they are called to a more severe account in this world and the world to come.”
October 29, 2025 at 10:55 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
John MacDuff, #Presbyterian, contrasts the mind of Jesus with the “school of the world”. In business there is double-dealing and over-reaching for advantage. If the #church does this, the world sees it.

How can you unlearn the teachings of school of the world, and be the light of the world?
JOHN MACDUFF (1818-1895) Mind of Jesus "In the school of the world (this 'painted world'), how much is there of what is called 'policy, double-dealing!--accomplishing its ends by tortuous means; outward, artificial polish, often only a cloak for baseness and selfishness!--in the daily interchange of business, one seeking to over-reach the other by wily arts; sacrificing principle for temporal advantage. There is nothing so derogatory to religion as aught allied to such a spirit among Christ's people--any such blot on the 'living epistles. 'Ye are the light of the world! That world is a quick observer."
October 28, 2025 at 9:40 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Matthew Poole fled to the #Reformed church in Amsterdam. He says that the Good Samaritan knew more about the Law of God from nature and Moses than the churchy-types of his age.

Today, do some ecclesiasticalists know less, teach less than hippies when it comes to aiding the distressed?
#christian
MATTHEW POOLE (1624-1679) Annotations upon the Holy Bible Luke 10 "He [Jesus] also by the by showeth him, that the Samaritans, whom the Jews so much abhorred, better understood the Law of God that the Ecclesiastical Guides of those times, for some of the [Samaritans] by the Light of Nature discerned themselves obliged to do good to every one that stood in need of their help; or if not by the Light of Nature, yet by the Light of Revelation in the Law of Moses..."
October 27, 2025 at 10:20 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Isaac Watts wrote, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” He says we lose nothing by benevolence, but are enriched by the very act of distribution (Prov 19:17).

… for giving to the poor, not to a rich preacher.

How can you dispense His blessings among His creatures?
#christian #hymnwriters #empathy
ISAAC WATTS (1674-1748) Sermon 38: The Christian's Treasure "My God honours me indeed, when he makes me the dispenser of his blessings among his creatures, and especially among his saints. I lose nothing by this benevolence, but am rather enriched by this very distribution. I become rich in good works, and rich in divine promises: 'He that gives to the poor lendeth to the Lord, and he will repay him! Alms are as money laid out to the best interest, and are a growing treasure."
October 26, 2025 at 10:58 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
William Garden Blaikie, Scottish pastor, lists promises of Jesus related to a cup of water (Matt 10:42), being made rulers (25:23), and services to His little ones (25:40) seen as done to himself.

Do others seek rewards by other means?

Aany needs today, especially among his followers? #christian
WILLIAM GARDEN BLAIKIE (1820-1899) Public Ministry and Pastoral Methods "A cup of cold water given to a disciple would in no wise lose its reward. Those who had been faithful in a few things would be made rulers over many things. Services done to His little ones would be rewarded as done to Himself."
October 25, 2025 at 11:09 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Jeremiah Burroughs, #Puritan preacher, says unmercifulness is in a vile heart that cares nothing for others’ plight as long as their own backs are clothed.

Is this the teaching of contemporary Puritan scholars?

How can you mind others?
#christian
JEREMIAH BURROUGHS (1599 - 1646) Saint's Happiness "... an unmerciful heart is a wretched and a vile heart. You that mind nothing else but yourselves, if you can have your tables spread, your backs clothed, your houses furnished, your children provided for, let others sink or swim and perish, no matter what becomes of them — oh wretched, vile heart of thine, what art thou more than others ?"
October 24, 2025 at 9:46 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Ashbel Green, US House chaplain, says thousands worship the mammon of unrighteousness, are cruel to the poor and own families.

He’s decrying the justice effects of idolatry. Is this a necessary consequence of the Westminster Cat?

How can you avoid the mammon of unrighteousness?
#presbyterian
ASHBEL GREEN (1762-1848) Lectures on the Shorter Catechism "'The mammon of unrighteous-ness, is the god that thousands, even in a Christian land, constantly and devotedly worship. Its devotees often sacrifice to it every sentiment, both of piety and humanity. To accumulate wealth, justice is disregarded, the poor and the helpless are treated with cruelty, and in some cases, not only their families, but their own persons, are subjected to pinching want and privation, by the wretched penuriousness of those whose god is gain."
October 24, 2025 at 1:41 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Madison Clinton Peters, #Reformed pastor, reflects on the #Talmud. “He who turns away from the works of love and charity, turns away from God.”

I literally just heard the opposite, that you should turn to the bible instead of fretting over people protesting.

How can you turn towards God?
MADISON CLINTON PETERS (1859-1918) Wit and Wisdom of the Talmud "He who turns away from the works of love and charity, turns away from God."
October 23, 2025 at 9:22 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Martin Luther, a #Lutheran, says trade should be in a caring community. Selling as dear as you can is just theft.

Would you tolerate $100 hot dogs at church social / VBS? If that seems unkind, then you can see Luther’s ethic.

How can you avoid stealing other people’s property?
#tencommandments
MARTIN LUTHER (1483 - 1546) "On Trading and Usury" "The merchants... say: I may sell my goods as dear as I can ... Now what good is there in trade? How can it be without sin when such injustice is the chief maxim and the rule of the whole business? On this basis trade can be nothing else than robbing and stealing other people's property."
October 23, 2025 at 9:18 AM
pteranodo.bsky.social
Jeremy Taylor, #CoE minister, on “Blessed are the merciful.” Physical mercy to be extended to all according to need, but also our “endearments”.

A popular pastor (J.H.) gave a truncated version, where any attention outside family is shirking duty to them

How can you have a mercy of heart and hand?
JEREMY TAYLOR (1613-1667) "CONSIDERATIONS ON THE EIGHT BEATITUDES" "So that the Christian mercy must be a mercy of the whole man; the heart must be merciful, and the hand operating in the labour of love: and it must be extended to all persons of all capacities, according as their necessity requires, and our ability permits, and our endearments and other obligations dispose of and determine the order."
October 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM