Christianity is not some ideal toward which we ought always to strive even though the ideal is out of reach. Christianity is not a series of slogans that sum up our beliefs.
Stanley HauerwasRead
We Protestants automatically assume that the Pharisees are the Catholics. They are the self-righteous people who have made Christianity a form of legalistic religion, thereby destroying the free grace of the Gospel. We Protestants are the tax collectors, knowing that we are sinners and that our lives depend upon God's free grace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the tendency to label others as self-righteous while recognizing one's own need for grace.
In this quote, Stanley Hauerwas contrasts the perception of Pharisees and tax collectors within the Christian context. He suggests that many Protestants view Catholics as the self-righteous Pharisees who adhere to a legalistic interpretation of faith, while positioning themselves as the humble tax collectors who acknowledge their sinfulness and reliance on God's grace. This highlights a deeper reflection on the nature of faith, grace, and humility in religious belief.
Themes
GraceHumilityFaithSelf-RighteousnessChristianityPhariseesTax Collectors
In practice
Example use cases
During a church discussion on grace, one might use this quote to illustrate the danger of self-righteousness.
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