A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.
C. S. LewisRead
The human qualities of the raw materials show through. Naivety, error, contradiction, even (as in the cursing Psalms) wickedness are not removed. The total result is not "the Word of God" in the sense that every passage in itself, gives impeccable science or history. It carries the Word of God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that human flaws and imperfections are present in religious texts, but they still convey a divine message.
C. S. Lewis's quote suggests that while religious scriptures may contain human errors and contradictions, these do not detract from their ability to convey profound spiritual truths. The essence of the texts reflects human experiences and frailties, demonstrating that the divine message is able to transcend imperfections and imperfections inherent in their writing.
Themes
HumanityImperfectionSpiritualityFaithText
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the interpretation of sacred texts during a religious study group.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes →I enjoyed my breakfast this morning, and I think that was a good thing and do not think it was condemned by God. But I do not think myself a good man for enjoying it.
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Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
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Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
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I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
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The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred
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