Most people catch their presuppositions from their family and surrounding society the way a child catches measles.
Francis SchaefferRead
The inward area is the first place of loss of true Christian life, of true spirituality, and the outward sinful act is the result.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that true spirituality begins within us, and negative outward behaviors stem from a troubled inner life.
Francis Schaeffer highlights the significance of one's internal spiritual state, arguing that a disconnect from true Christian values originates within the heart and mind. When individuals neglect their inner spiritual well-being, it often manifests in negative actions and sinful behavior in the outside world. Thus, nurturing one's inner life is crucial to maintaining a faithful and spiritual existence.
Themes
SpiritualityInner LifeTrue SelfChristianityFaith
In practice
Example use cases
During a sermon on personal growth and faith, one could reference this quote to illustrate the importance of inner spirituality.
More from Francis Schaeffer
All quotes βIn two areas above all others the Christian demonstration of love and communication stands clear: in the area of the Christian couple and their children; and in the personal relationships of Christians in the church. If there is no demonstration in these two places, on the personal level, the world can conclude that orthodox Christian doctrine is nothing but dead, cold words.
Francis SchaefferRead
Christian art is the expression of the whole life of the whole person as a Christian. What a Christian portrays in his art is the totality of life. Art is not to be solely a vehicle for some sort of self-conscious evangelism.
Francis SchaefferRead
There are two main reasons why we may not be bringing forth the fruit we should. It may be because of ignorance, because we may never have been taught the meaning of the work of Christ for our present lives.
Francis SchaefferRead
We should not view men with a cynical eye, seeing them only as meaningless products of chance, but, on the other hand, we should not go to the opposite extreme of seeing them romantically. To do either is to fail to understand who men really are--creatures made in the image of God but fallen.
Francis SchaefferRead
You must not lose confidence in God because you lost confidence in your pastor. If our confidence in God had to depend upon our confidence in any human person, we would be on shifting sand.
Francis SchaefferRead
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