The Church was resolved to have a New Testament, and as…
“The Church was resolved to have a New Testament, and as, after the lapse of more than three hundred years, no handwriting could be proved or disproved, the Church, which like former impostors had then gotten possession of the State, had everything its own way. It invented creeds, such as that called the Apostle's Creed, the Nicean Creed, the Athanasian Creed, and out of the loads of rubbish that were presented it voted four to be Gospels, and others to be Epistles, as we now find them arranged.”
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 argues that the Church historically manipulated doctrine and scripture to consolidate power, creating arbitrary creeds and canon.
In simple terms: The Church shaped doctrines to control power and define scripture.
Key Takeaway
Question institutional authority over truth.
Themes
religious authority
historical criticism
power dynamics
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
historical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- religious reform
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Ecclesiastical history
canon formation
political theology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does power influence religious texts?
- What criteria should determine canonical authority?
A Different Perspective
Historical context may differ; not all religious institutions act similarly.