Character Quote by C. S. Lewis
““On the other hand, if God's moral judgement differs from ours so that our 'black' may be His 'white', we can mean nothing by calling Him good; for to say 'God is good', while asserting that His goodness is wholly other than ours, is really only to say 'God is we know not what'. And an utterly unknown quality in God cannot give us moral grounds for loving or obeying Him. If He is not (in our sense) 'good' we shall obey, if at all, only through fear - and should be equally ready to obey omnipotent Fiend. The doctrine of Total Depravity - when the consequence is drawn that, since we are totally depraved, our idea of good is worth simply nothing - may thus turn Christianity into a form of devil-worship. - The Problem of Pain, pp. 28 - 29””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Problem of Pain, 1940
He critiques the idea that God’s morality differs from ours, suggesting it leads to fear‑based obedience rather than love.
In simple terms: If God’s good differs, obedience is fear‑based.
Key Takeaway
Seek moral alignment with divine.
Themes
theology
morality
divine
fear
obedience
Mood
thought‑provoking
philosophical
Type
theological
ethical
When to use this quote
- spiritual reflection
- ethical debate
- personal belief
Key Concepts
philosophy of religion
ethical relativism
faith challenges
Questions to Reflect On
- Can we know God’s moral nature?
- What is the role of love in obedience?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify divine nature.
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