“Shouldn't we just admit the obvious--that the New Testament call to discipleship, compassion, and giving leaves no room for the way many of us are thinking and living? Is it time to get beyond the theoretical stance of 'I'd be willing to give up anything if God asked me to,' and start actually giving up things in order to do what He's commanded us?”

“We seem to think that God wants us to give up things!... God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having ---- viz., life with Himself.”

“The First Testament gives the baseline meaning to the gospel in the promise of God that will not be thwarted by anyone or anything. The New Testament gives us the fulfillment in the form of a person. These testaments are meant to be read in parallel, allowing each testament to illuminate the other.”

“God never asks us to give what we do not have . . . But he cannot use what we will not give.”

“God never gives us anything to do that He does not give us the strength to do.”

“God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having--viz., life with Himself. It is a question of loosening the bonds that hinder the life...”