Those of us raised in the Christian tradition need to choose to either see God in Jesus or to continue to let the Bible define God. Our tradition says that Jesus is God. Maybe we should act as if we think he is instead of worshipping a book. Maybe we should be brave enough to admit that we are compelled to either become blinded ideologues or we need to forthrightly pick and choose what we follow in the Bible. Most Christians do that anyway, many just don’t admit it.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of personal belief in Jesus over strict adherence to biblical texts.
In this quote, Frank Schaeffer argues that individuals raised in the Christian faith should choose to perceive Jesus as the embodiment of God rather than solely relying on the written scriptures. He suggests that many Christians selectively interpret the Bible according to their beliefs, and encourages a more authentic relationship with God through Jesus, rather than just worshipping the text itself.
In practice
During a church discussion about faith, this quote can be used to encourage open dialogue on personal beliefs.
But what force in the galaxy is stronger than she is?" "Indifference." Jerusha surprised herself with the answer. "Indifference, Gundhalinu, is the strongest force in the universe. It makes everything it touches meaningless. Love and hate don't stand a chance against it. It lets neglect and decay and monstrous injustice go unchecked. It doesn't act, it allows. And that's what gives it so much power.
For what human ill does dawn not seem to be alternative?
The mountebank told them that God was surely trying to kill them, possibly because He was through with them, and that they should have the good manners to die. This, as you can see, they did.
As long as you find something beautiful, good, and true to believe in and abide by, you have the equivalent of God in your life.
A cultural fixation on female thinness is not an obsession about female beauty but an obsession about female obedience.
Everything is integral and interacts with everything else. This means that nothing is itself without everything else. There is a commonality, an integrity, an intimacy of the universe with itself.
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