In an age of relativism, orthodoxy is the only possible rebellion left
Interpretation
The quote suggests that in today's world of diverse beliefs and opinions, adhering to traditional beliefs can be seen as a form of resistance.
Peter Kreeft's quote highlights the idea that in a time where relativism reigns—where truth and morality are often viewed as subjective or dependent on individual perspectives—maintaining traditional beliefs and orthodox views becomes a significant act of rebellion. It implies that to hold fast to established doctrines in such a fluid landscape constitutes a challenge to the prevailing societal norms that embrace diversity and personal interpretation of truth.
In practice
During a lecture on contemporary philosophy, this quote can be used to illustrate the tension between orthodox beliefs and relative truth.
Trusting God's grace means trusting God's love for us rather than our love for God. [...] Therefore our prayers should consist mainly of rousing our awareness of God's love for us rather than trying to rouse God's awareness of our love for him, like the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:26-29).
Remembering the facts of death and Heaven gives us an even more pressing reason to learn to pray: We do not have an infinite amount of time. We are one day nearer Home today than we ever were before. I guarantee you that after you die you will not say 'I spent too much time praying; I wish I had watched more TV instead.'
Like apes, we breed, sleep, and die. Yet like God we say, "I am." We are ontological oxymorons.
The modern mind always tends to reduce the greater to the lesser rather than seeing the lesser as reflecting the greater.
Our soul, like Mary's body, is to receive God Himself if only we, like her, believe, consent and receive; if only we speak her truly magic word fiat, "let it be." It is the creative word, the word God used to create the universe.
Protestants believe that the sacraments are like ladders that God gave to us by which we can climb up to Him. Catholics believe that they are like ladders that God gave to Himself by which He climbs down to us.
A brushstroke of vanity is good to add into the mix, to balance your timidity. We're all blessed with a lot of timidity and a lot of worry and anxiety, and vanity is a good antidote.
Theology is only thought applied to religion.
He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms that it is far off, nor is it he who says it is near, but rather he who, whether it be far off or near, awaits it with sincere faith, steadfast hope, and fervent love.
The truth is how you say it, and to be 'one's self' is the most shocking custom of all.
Let us remember that a traitor may betray himself and do good that he does not intend. It can be so, sometimes.
But you're dead,' said Harry. 'Oh, yes,' said Dumbledore matter-of-factly. 'Then... am I dead too?' 'Ah,' said Dumbledore, smiling still more broadly. 'That is the question, isn't it? On the whole, dear boy, I think not.
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