That Jones shall worship the god within him turns out…
““That Jones shall worship the god within him turns out ultimately to mean that Jones shall worship Jones. Let Jones worship the sun or moon, anything rather than the Inner Light; let Jones worship cats or crocodiles, if he can find any in his street, but not the god within. Christianity came into the world firstly in order to assert with violence that a man had not only to look inwards, but to look outwards, to behold with astonishment and enthusiasm a divine company and a divine captain. The only fun of being a Christian was that a man was not left alone with the Inner Light, but definitely recognized an outer light, fair as the sun, clear as the moon, terrible as an army with banners.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage critiques the inward‑focused spirituality that reduces divinity to self‑worship, arguing that true Christianity demands an outward, communal vision of the divine.
In simple terms: Critique of self‑centered spirituality
Key Takeaway
Divinity must be external, not merely inner
Themes
religion
self‑identity
community
spirituality
authority
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
aphor
theological critique
When to use this quote
- personal meditation
- public worship
- ritual gatherings
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
inner light
outer light
divine hierarchy
religious symbolism
Practical Applications
- theological education
- spiritual counseling
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to worship an outer light?
- How does communal belief shape personal faith?