The substance of all such paganism may be summarised thus…
““The substance of all such paganism may be summarised thus. It is an attempt to reach the divine reality through the imagination alone; in its own field reason does not restrain it at all. It is vital to the view of all history that reason is something separate from religion even in the most rational of these civilisations. It is only as an afterthought, when such cults are decadent or on the defensive, that a few Neo-Platonists or a few Brahmins are found trying to rationalise them, and even then only by trying to allegorise them. But in reality the rivers of mythology and philosophy run parallel and do not mingle till they meet in the sea of Christendom.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reason and imagination are treated as separate, with myth and philosophy only merging under Christianity.
In simple terms: Reason and myth stay apart until Christianity unites them.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the limits of pure imagination in spiritual matters.
Themes
religion
philosophy
myth
reason
Christianity
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
analytical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- interfaith dialogue
- philosophical study
Key Concepts
dualism
allegory
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern thinkers reconcile myth with rational inquiry?
- Can spirituality exist without religious frameworks?
A Different Perspective
Myth and reason can intersect without Christianity, but often remain distinct.