Absence Quote by James Henley Thornwell
“Whether young or old, rich or poor, learned or unlearned, should presume to dispense the mysteries of Christ without the strongest of all possible reasons for doing so - the imperative, invincible call of God. No one is to show cause why he ought not to be a Minister: he is to show cause why he should be a Minister. His call to the sacred profession is not the absence of a call to any other pursuit; it is direct, immediate, powerful, to this very department of labour. He is not here because he can be nowhere else, but he is nowhere else because he must be here.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Call of Ministry, 1850s
Ministry is a divine vocation requiring strong conviction; one must justify why they should serve, not why they cannot.
In simple terms: Calling to be a minister must be justified by purpose.
Key Takeaway
Seek a higher purpose before claiming a role.
Themes
faith
calling
responsibility
Mood
reflective
solemn
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- personal calling
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
theology
vocational discernment
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner motivations drive your desire to serve?
- How do you discern genuine calling?
A Different Perspective
One may lack the required spiritual depth despite desire.
![“Ought not a Minister to have, First, a good understanding, a clear apprehension, a sound judgment, and a capacity of reasoning with some closeness. . . . Is not some acquaintance with what has been termed the second part of logic, (metaphysics), if not so necessary as [logic itself], yet highly…” quote by J.P. Moreland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f23/j-p-moreland-19256_john-wesley_ought-not-a-minister-to-have-first-a-goo_3077186.jpg)
