History
In July 1505, a law student named Martin Luther was caught in a violent storm near Stotternheim. Terrified, he cried out to St.…
Calling · Fear · Grace
Luther · Romans 1
Quote
If necessary, use words
Attributed (likely later) to Francis of Assisi; his actual life and sermons, 13th c.
The line attributed to Francis — “Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words” — is almost certainly not his, and that matters. Francis was a preacher. The made-up quote has been used to baptize silence. What is true, and documented, is a life so ordered toward poverty and praise that the words had a body behind them. Use the correction as the illustration: we like sayings that excuse us from speaking, and saints who would not have.
How you’d preach it
When a church hides behind “presence,” tell the truth about the quote. Then keep the better point: words need a life, and a life still needs words.
- Mission
- Faith
- Calling
Assisi · Romans 10 · Matthew 5
Romans 10:14–17; Matthew 5:16