Above all, would not such a new reader of the New Testament stumble
over something that would startle him much more than it startles us?
I have here more than once attempted the rather impossible task
of reversing time and the historic method; and in fancy looking
forward to the facts, instead of backward through the memories.
So I have imagined the monster that man might have seemed at first
to the mere nature around him. We should have a worse shock if we
really imagined the nature of Christ named for the first time.
What should we feel at the first whisper of a certain suggestion
about a certain man? Certainly it is not for us to blame anybody
who should find that first wild whisper merely impious and insane.
On the contrary, stumbling on that rock of scandal is the first step.
Stark staring incredulity is a far more loyal tribute to that truth than
a modernist metaphysic that would make it out merely a matter of degree.
It were better to rend our robes with a great cry against blasphemy,
like Caiaphas in the judgement, or to lay hold of the man as a maniac
possessed of devils like the kinsmen and the crowd, rather than
to stand stupidly debating fine shades of pantheism in the presence
of so catastrophic a claim. There is more of the wisdom that is
one with surprise in any simple person, full of the sensitiveness
of simplicity, who should expect the grass to wither and the birds
to drop dead out of the air, when a strolling carpenter's apprentice
said calmly and almost carelessly, like one looking over his shoulder:
'Before Abraham was, I am.'
-The Everlasting Man (1925)
Quotes by and posts relating to one of the most influential authors of the 20th century, G.K. Chesterton
A blog dedicated to providing quotes by and posts relating to one of the most influential (and quotable!) authors of the twentieth century, G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936). If you do not know much about GKC, I suggest visiting the webpage of the American Chesterton Society as well as this wonderful Chesterton Facebook Page by a fellow Chestertonian
I also have created a list detailing examples of the influence of Chesterton if you are interested, that I work on from time to time.
(Moreover, for a list of short GKC quotes, I have created one here, citing the sources)
"...Stevenson had found that the secret of life lies in laughter and humility."
-Heretics (1905)
_____________________
I also have created a list detailing examples of the influence of Chesterton if you are interested, that I work on from time to time.
(Moreover, for a list of short GKC quotes, I have created one here, citing the sources)
"...Stevenson had found that the secret of life lies in laughter and humility."
-Heretics (1905)
_____________________
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