Most people catch their presuppositions from their family and surrounding society the way a child catches measles.
Francis SchaefferRead
Most people catch their presuppositions from their family and surrounding society the way a child catches measles. But people with more understanding realize that their presuppositions should be chosen after a careful consideration of what world-view is true.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating inherited beliefs rather than accepting them blindly.
Francis Schaeffer's quote highlights the tendency of individuals to adopt beliefs and presuppositions from their family and societal environment without questioning them, similar to how children contract illnesses like measles. It calls for a more thoughtful and discerning approach to understanding one's views, urging individuals to critically assess and choose their beliefs based on objective truths rather than passive acceptance.
Themes
BeliefsCritical ThinkingUnderstandingPresuppositionsSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy class discussing the nature of belief systems.
More from Francis Schaeffer
All quotes →In 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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