“Kingsley, though romantic and attractive in many ways, was a great deal more like Nervous Christianity than Muscular Christianity.” — G.K. Chesterton, The Victorian Age in Literature
Nervous Christianity is always looking over its shoulder because it isn't sure the Savior has its back. It lacks faith in what God has said so it only keeps its ears attentive to what others are saying. It takes the temperature of the room and does what it takes to avoid registering any heat. It does not want to rock the boat because it worries that Christ might capsize. But it forgets that a lack of faith is the only thing that can send a man overboard.
1 Timothy 1:19
Faith and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.
Muscular Christianity is always abounding in good works because it is focused on its Lord. It has faith in God's Word and so it reads it before it reads the world. It is intimate with the timeless and so it does not fret the frivolous times. It is a fire from God constantly kindled and burning bright for all to see and some to be warmed by. It does not fear the storms. It walks on water. It finds safe harbor because Christ is both the Captain of its ship and the lighthouse on the Rock that never fails to provide guidance.
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