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They would make the 'Church ' their great meeting-point…

“They would make the 'Church ' their great meeting-point, rather than the Atonement of Christ. As far as my experience goes, they have more devoutness and less devotion, more fear and less love, more feeling of duty than of desire, laying more stress on Phil. ii. 12 than ver. 13, and in practice…” quote by Frances Ridley Havergal
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“They would make the 'Church ' their great meeting-point, rather than the Atonement of Christ. As far as my experience goes, they have more devoutness and less devotion, more fear and less love, more feeling of duty than of desire, laying more stress on Phil. ii. 12 than ver. 13, and in practice working upon the intellect and imagination rather than aiming at the heart, skirmishing among the outworks rather than assaulting the citadel.”

Frances Ridley Havergal

About This Quote

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

She critiques a church that emphasizes duty and fear over love and desire, focusing on intellectualism rather than heartfelt faith.

In simple terms: Church stresses duty over love.

Key Takeaway

Seek genuine love and desire in faith.

Themes

faith love duty

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

theological observational

When to use this quote

  • worship practices
  • religious education
  • personal devotion

Key Concepts

spiritual authenticity heart vs mind

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can love and duty coexist in worship?
  • What balance between intellect and heart is healthy?
A Different Perspective

It may understate the role of doctrine in community cohesion.

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