Lessons from the Life of Eric Liddell: #3: “God Can Use Anyone to Advance His Kingdom”
This is the third installment of a blog series announced here.
Even though Eric Liddell was a natural talent on the track or rugby pitch, he was not a natural talent when it came to public ministry. He was a shy person, naturally quiet, and not inclined to speak in public. In fact, it was a nerve-wracking experience for him.
And his fears, at least on a human level, proved to be somewhat justified. Eric did not have the polish, skill, or eloquence of most modern preachers. In fact, when Eric’s widow Florence first saw the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, and the eloquence with which the actor … Continue reading...
Lessons from the Life of Eric Liddell: #2: “Determination is Not Contrary to the Gospel of Grace”
This is the second installment of a blog series announced here.
When it came to athletics, especially running, there were few people more determined than Eric Liddell. To put it simply, he would never give up. Never.
The most famous example of Liddell’s determination was at a 1923 championship meet at Stoke where he was competing against runners from Scotland, England, and Ireland. After competing in the 100 and the 200, an exhausted Liddell was set to run the 400—and event for which he had hardly trained.
Soon after the race had begun, Liddell’s chances grew even worse when at the first turn he was tripped up by another … Continue reading...
Lessons from the Life of Eric Liddell: #1: “Christian Character Really Does Matter”
This is the first installment of a blog series announced here.
For those who knew the Olympic sprinter Eric Liddell personally, it was not his exceptional speed that was his most outstanding quality. It was his exceptional Christian character. Liddell took very seriously a verse that is largely dismissed by Christians today: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48).
Dr. George Dorling, former flat mate of Liddell’s, recalled that this verse “was the standard by which he judged his actions…whenever he had not attained that perfection which Jesus commanded, then he recognized it as sin and took appropriate steps to put it right.”… Continue reading...
Seminary Students: Love People not Papers? Or, Love People AND Papers?
Yesterday I noticed that someone sent out a tweet that said: “Seminary students: Love people not papers.” Now, in many ways, this advice is spot on. Seminary students often need to realize that there is more to ministry than Greek syntax or lengthy bibliographies. God calls us to engage with the flock personally, relationally, and intimately. As Paul himself noted about his ministry to the Thessalonians, “We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves” (1 Thess 2:8).
However, at the same time, to say that we should “love people and not papers” sets up a bit of a false dichotomy. … Continue reading...
The Flying Scotsman: Lessons from the Life of Eric Liddell
Note: The complete series on Eric Liddell is now at the bottom of this post.
The Bible makes it clear that one of the greatest helps to running the Christian race is to look at the lives of the many saints that have gone before us. The author of Hebrews reminds us that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” such as Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Sampson, David, and that therefore we should “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1). In other words, the examples of the saints inspire us. And we should follow those examples.
Now, the word “example” has fallen on … Continue reading...