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God, so atrocious in the Old Testament, so attractive in the New--the Jekyl and Hyde of sacred romance.
Mark Twain
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the contrasting portrayals of God in the Old and New Testaments, likening them to the dual nature of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Mark Twain's quote highlights the apparent contradiction in the character of God as depicted in religious texts, pointing out the harsh, vengeful nature of God in the Old Testament compared to the loving and forgiving nature portrayed in the New Testament. This duality invites reflection on the complexities of faith and interpretation within religious narratives, evoking a sense of intrigue and skepticism about the nature of divinity.

Themes

GodOld TestamentNew TestamentDualityReligionFaith

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a discussion on the evolution of religious beliefs in a philosophy class.

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