--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They have never bothered to think the…" description: "\"“They have never bothered to think the matter out for themselves, but have heard about Him from others, and have put belief in Him into the back of the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2b/a-w-tozer-1151_faith_they-have-never-bothered-to-think-the-ma_1777541.jpg" --- # They have never bothered to think the matter out for… ![“They have never bothered to think the matter out for themselves, but have heard about Him from others, and have put belief in Him into the back of their minds along with the various odds and ends that make up their total creed. To many others God is but an ideal, another name for goodness, or…” quote by A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2b/a-w-tozer-1151_faith_they-have-never-bothered-to-think-the-ma_1777541.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2b/a-w-tozer-1151_faith_they-have-never-bothered-to-think-the-ma_1777541.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2b/a-w-tozer-1151_faith_they-have-never-bothered-to-think-the-ma_1777541.jpg) > ““They have never bothered to think the matter out for themselves, but have heard about Him from others, and have put belief in Him into the back of their minds along with the various odds and ends that make up their total creed. To many others God is but an ideal, another name for goodness, or beauty, or truth; or He is law, or life, or the creative impulse back of the phenomena of existence.”” [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often accept beliefs without personal examination, reducing God to abstract concepts like goodness or truth rather than a living reality. **In simple terms:** Belief is accepted without thought, turning God into an idea. Key Takeaway Examine beliefs personally. Themes faith belief spirituality Mood contemplative inquisitive Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - religious study - personal meditation - ethical decision making - seeking meaning Key Concepts theology personal reflection Questions to Reflect On - How do you personally experience the divine? - What does “law” mean to you? A Different Perspective Personal belief can be influenced by cultural bias and lack of critical inquiry. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Creed God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creed-god-1834301/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [God Ideal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-ideal-1834300/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Heard Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heard-belief-1834302/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [Blessed is he who carries within himself a God, an ideal, and obeys it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-pasteur/blessed-is-he-who-carries-within-himself-a-god-an-ideal-and-obeys-it/) [Louis Pasteur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-pasteur/) > [Justice is the idea of God, the ideal of man, the rule of conduct writ in the nature of mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-parker/justice-is-the-idea-of-god-the-ideal-of-man-the-rule-of-conduct-writ/) [Theodore Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-parker/) > [“Progress is the goal, the ideal is the type. What is this ideal? It is God. Ideal, absolute, perfection, infinity: identical words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/progress-is-the-goal-the-ideal-is-the-type-what-is-this-ideal-it-is/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Everybody understands that the basis of being a Christian is that everyone has fallen short of God's ideal. Everyone understands that. We understand is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-holmes/everybody-understands-that-the-basis-of-being-a-christian-is-that/) [Anna Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-holmes/) > [Blessed is he who carries within himself a God, an ideal, and who obeys it: ideal of art, ideal of science, ideal of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-pasteur/blessed-is-he-who-carries-within-himself-a-god-an-ideal-and-who-obeys/) [Louis Pasteur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-pasteur/) > [“• God is man squared. That is to say, God is man raised to a higher power. • Man is the root, the square…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-yarrow/god-is-man-squared-that-is-to-say-god-is-man-raised-to-a-higher-power/) [Bill Yarrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-yarrow/) > [In freedom can be found many devotions: a devotion to love, a desire to believe, a willingness to be happy, a perseverance to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-freedom-can-be-found-many-devotions-a-devotion-to-love-a-desire-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Belief in the Law of Small Numbers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kahneman/belief-in-the-law-of-small-numbers/) [Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kahneman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) ## More by A.W. Tozer > [“depth of the riches both”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/depth-of-the-riches-both/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“We should revel in the joy of believing that God is the sum of all patience and the true essence of kindly good will!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/we-should-revel-in-the-joy-of-believing-that-god-is-the-sum-of-all/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“History reveals that times of suffering for the church have also been times of looking upward. Tribulation has always sobered God’s people and encouraged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/history-reveals-that-times-of-suffering-for-the-church-have-also-been/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“Whatever comes into your heart and mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/whatever-comes-into-your-heart-and-mind-when-you-think-about-god-is/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“Thus we dare not conclude that because we learn about the Spirit we for that reason actually know Him. Knowing Him comes only by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/thus-we-dare-not-conclude-that-because-we-learn-about-the-spirit-we/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“The whole Bible supports the idea. God is speaking. Not God spoke, but God is speaking. He is by His nature continuously articulate. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/the-whole-bible-supports-the-idea-god-is-speaking-not-god-spoke-but/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“The more my trust rests in God, the less I trust myself. If we truly desire to live the crucified life, we must get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/the-more-my-trust-rests-in-god-the-less-i-trust-myself-if-we-truly/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“We’re Marching to Zion Isaac Watts (1674–1748) Come, we that love the Lord, And let our joys be known; Join in a song with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/we-re-marching-to-zion-isaac-watts-1674-1748-come-we-that-love-the/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“With the veil removed by the rending of Jesus' flesh, with nothing on God's side to prevent us from entering, why do we tarry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/with-the-veil-removed-by-the-rending-of-jesus-flesh-with-nothing-on/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“The word of wisdom is missing,” he continued. “We need the gift of discernment again in our pulpits. It is not ability to predict…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/the-word-of-wisdom-is-missing-he-continued-we-need-the-gift-of/) [a.w. tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“thereafter to crave any further revelation of God to our souls. We have been snared in the coils of a spurious logic which insists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/thereafter-to-crave-any-further-revelation-of-god-to-our-souls-we/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [ “\[Sadly\] the first thing we tell our young converts, the babes in Christ, is, 'Here is a handful of tracts- now get out and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/sadly-the-first-thing-we-tell-our-young-converts-the-babes-in-christ/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“We must invite the cross to do its deadly work within us. We must bring our self-sins to the cross for judgment. We must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/we-must-invite-the-cross-to-do-its-deadly-work-within-us-we-must/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“Here is a masterly study of the inner life by a heart thirsting after God, eager to grasp at least the outskirts of His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/here-is-a-masterly-study-of-the-inner-life-by-a-heart-thirsting-after/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [“The modern scientist has lost God amid the wonders of His world; we Christians are in real danger of losing God amid the wonders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/the-modern-scientist-has-lost-god-amid-the-wonders-of-his-world-we/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) [Explore all 280 A.W. Tozer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“They have never bothered to think the matter out for themselves, but have heard about Him from others, and have put belief in Him into the back of their minds along with the various odds and ends that make up their total creed. 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