A sense of the sacred is inseparable from a sense of…
““A sense of the sacred is inseparable from a sense of radical discontinuity, be it temporal, rational, experiential, or a combination of the three. The mystification that is usually a concomitant of such discontinuity is at the very heart of the Christian tradition especially. Whether is takes the form of Tertullian's reputed "credo quia absurdum est" or the more subtle form of fundamentalism's ahistorical canonicalism, distance is the guarantor of the sacred's status as sacred.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The sacred is tied to a sense of radical break from continuity, and that break creates mystification central to Christian tradition, often expressed through absurdity or anti‑historical fundamentalism.
In simple terms: Sacredness comes from feeling a deep break from normal continuity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of discontinuity in spirituality.
Themes
spirituality
theology
philosophy
Mood
contemplative
analytical
Type
Sacred:1
Spirituality:1
Sense Sacred:0
Fundamentalism Ahistorical:1
Radical Discontinuity:1
Canonicalism Distance:0
When to use this quote
- religious studies
- personal reflection
- academic discourse
Key Concepts
sacredness
continuity
fundamentalism
historicity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does feeling disconnected enhance sacred experience?
- Can sacredness exist without discontinuity?
A Different Perspective
The concept can be abstract and hard to apply practically.