Action Quote by Francis Schaeffer
“No totalitarian authority nor authoritarian state can tolerate those who have an absolute by which to judge that state and its actions. The Christians had that absolute in God's revelation. Because the Christians had an absolute, universal standard by which to judge not only personal morals but the state, they were counted as enemies of totalitarian Rome and were thrown to the beasts.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Christian Manifesto, Francis Schaeffer, 1970
Absolute moral standards from divine revelation enable critique of totalitarian regimes, making Christians targets of oppression.
In simple terms: Divine truth challenges oppressive states.
Key Takeaway
Uphold absolute moral standards.
Themes
politics
religion
freedom
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- human rights advocacy
- faith-based activism
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
moral absolutism
theology
totalitarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- Can moral absolutes coexist with cultural diversity?
- What role should religion play in politics?
A Different Perspective
Absolute standards can be contested in pluralistic societies.
![“Contemporaries struggled to make sense of what, to them, was the complete collapse of the world order. “Why does [God] allow us to be weaker and more miserable” than all these tribal peoples, wailed the fifth-century Christian writer Salvian; “why has he allowed us to be conquered by the…” quote by Peter Frankopan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7fe/peter-frankopan-27375_world-order_contemporaries-struggled-to-make-sense-o_2033004.jpg)
