--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We [Christians] have the dilemma of using…" description: "\"We [Christians] have the dilemma of using a symbol system that was not made for our worldview, to give our worldview... I think the thing we're waiting..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/francis-schaeffer-2607_christian_we-christians-have-the-dilemma-of-using_2226048.jpg" --- # We \[Christians\] have the dilemma of using a symbol system… ![“We [Christians] have the dilemma of using a symbol system that was not made for our worldview, to give our worldview... I think the thing we're waiting for is a genius to come forth who can either make a new symbol system which is still modern, or more properly, as symbol systems don't come…” quote by Francis Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/francis-schaeffer-2607_christian_we-christians-have-the-dilemma-of-using_2226048.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/francis-schaeffer-2607_christian_we-christians-have-the-dilemma-of-using_2226048.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/francis-schaeffer-2607_christian_we-christians-have-the-dilemma-of-using_2226048.jpg) > “We \[Christians\] have the dilemma of using a symbol system that was not made for our worldview, to give our worldview... I think the thing we're waiting for is a genius to come forth who can either make a new symbol system which is still modern, or more properly, as symbol systems don't come overnight, a group of people to modify the symbol systems of our day, so that we can use them for our Christian message without a disadvantage.” [Francis Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-schaeffer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Christians need a modern symbolic language that aligns with their worldview, requiring either new creation or adaptation of existing systems. **In simple terms:** Calls for updated symbols for Christian messaging. Key Takeaway Develop or adapt symbols that fit Christian values. Themes theology communication culture symbolism Mood thoughtful serious Type theological strategic When to use this quote - church branding - media outreach - educational materials - digital platforms Key Concepts modernity interpretation faith expression Questions to Reflect On - How can symbols stay relevant yet faithful? - What role should the community play in this change? 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This symbol is not a recognizable form of anything which is already finished, already made,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-lissitzky/the-artist-constructs-a-new-symbol-with-his-brush-this-symbol-is-not/) [El Lissitzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/el-lissitzky/) > [It really is worth the trouble to invent a new symbol if we can thus remove not a few logical difficulties and ensure the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottlob-frege/it-really-is-worth-the-trouble-to-invent-a-new-symbol-if-we-can-thus/) [Gottlob Frege](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottlob-frege/) > [“We can never dispense with language and the other symbol systems; for it is by means of them, and only by their means, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/we-can-never-dispense-with-language-and-the-other-symbol-systems-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Symbol systems cannot simply be rejected; they must be replaced. 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Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-p-christ/) > [The degradation of the sense of symbol in modern society is one of its many signs of spiritual decay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-degradation-of-the-sense-of-symbol-in-modern-society-is-one-of/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Machinery is the chief symbol of modern civilization; it represents a great sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/machinery-is-the-chief-symbol-of-modern-civilization-it-represents-a/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“An empty skull is the vanitas symbol of modern education.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bauvard/an-empty-skull-is-the-vanitas-symbol-of-modern-education/) [Bauvard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bauvard/) > [Until cubism, all art, all pictures, could be 'read' by anybody. 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Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) ## More by Francis Schaeffer > [Jesus taught that the mark of the Christian is the observable love shown among all true believers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-schaeffer/jesus-taught-that-the-mark-of-the-christian-is-the-observable-love/) [Francis Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-schaeffer/) > [As evangelical Christians we have tended to relegate art to the very fringe of life. 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I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We [Christians] have the dilemma of using a symbol system that was not made for our worldview, to give our worldview... 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