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We need to make sure we are doing what Jesus said and not…

“We need to make sure we are doing what Jesus said and not what we thought Jesus must have said. The textbook case against Christian activism can be made in one word—Prohibition—the word that would have made the Lord Jesus at Cana into a moonshiner felon. We did a great job there of setting aside…” quote by Douglas Wilson
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““We need to make sure we are doing what Jesus said and not what we thought Jesus must have said. The textbook case against Christian activism can be made in one word—Prohibition—the word that would have made the Lord Jesus at Cana into a moonshiner felon. We did a great job there of setting aside the Word of God for the sake of our tradition””

Douglas Wilson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote warns against interpreting Jesus’ teachings to fit personal or cultural agendas, especially when those agendas contradict the original message.

In simple terms: Don’t let tradition override Jesus’ actual words.

Key Takeaway

Check your motives before acting.

Themes

faith interpretation tradition activism

Mood

reflective critical

Type

theological ethical

When to use this quote

  • church leadership
  • political activism
  • social movements
  • policy advocacy

Key Concepts

theology historical context moral reasoning

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you differentiate between tradition and original teaching?
  • What safeguards ensure faithful interpretation?
A Different Perspective

May oversimplify complex issues into a single slogan.

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