Absolutes 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.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The God Who Is There, Francis Schaeffer, 1975
A state cannot endure when its people have an unquestionable moral standard to evaluate it, as Christians did through divine revelation.
In simple terms: Moral standards can limit state power.
Key Takeaway
Uphold higher moral truths.
Themes
authority
morality
politics
religion
truth
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political activism
- journalism
- community organizing
- faith-based advocacy
Key Concepts
theocracy
ethical absolutism
civil disobedience
Questions to Reflect On
- What higher moral standard guides your civic engagement?
- How do societies reconcile differing absolutes?
A Different Perspective
Such absolutes can be contested, leading to conflict over whose standard is supreme.
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
![“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec3/vladimir-putin-261_absolutes_their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolu_10791.jpg)
