We have to grow into Scripture, like a young boy…
““We have to grow into Scripture, like a young boy inheriting his older brother's clothes and flopping around in them, but he gradually builds out and grows up. Perhaps it's a measure of our maturity when parts of Scripture that we found odd or even repellent suddenly come up in a new light. Our sense is overtaken by a sense of the whole thing, wide, multicolored, and unspeakably powerful.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Maturity in faith is likened to out into old clothes, growing to understand and appreciate Scripture’s challenging parts, leading to a fuller, more powerful experience of the whole.
In simple terms: Faith matures by embracing difficult Scripture, revealing its power.
Embrace challenging texts to deepen faith.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Bible study groups
- seminary coursework
- personal devotion
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What parts of Scripture have changed your perspective?
- How does grappling with difficult texts shape your spiritual life?
Some may view this as forcing conformity rather than encouraging critical questioning.