---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must not get caught up in an emotional…"
description: "\"“We must not get caught up in an emotional reaction against such phrases as 'believing on authority' ... Everything depends on the character of the aut..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/g-c-berkouwer-9618_quote_we-must-not-get-caught-up-in-an-emotiona_1007444.jpg"
---

#  We must not get caught up in an emotional reaction against…

![“We must not get caught up in an emotional reaction against such phrases as 'believing on authority' ... Everything depends on the character of the authority and the character of believing.” quote by G C Berkouwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/g-c-berkouwer-9618_quote_we-must-not-get-caught-up-in-an-emotiona_1007444.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/g-c-berkouwer-9618_quote_we-must-not-get-caught-up-in-an-emotiona_1007444.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93f/g-c-berkouwer-9618_quote_we-must-not-get-caught-up-in-an-emotiona_1007444.jpg)

> ““We must not get caught up in an emotional reaction against such phrases as 'believing on authority' ... Everything depends on the character of the authority and the character of believing.””

[G C Berkouwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-c-berkouwer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Belief should not be based solely on authority; it depends on both the authority’s character and the believer’s disposition.

**In simple terms:** Belief requires personal judgment, not just trust in authority.

Key Takeaway

Evaluate authority and your own motives when believing.

Themes

faith authority critical thinking philosophy ethics

Mood

thoughtful analytical inquisitive

Type

theological philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal decision making
- academic study
- public discourse
- leadership training

Key Concepts

epistemology theology character analysis

Questions to Reflect On

- What criteria do you use to assess an authority’s credibility?
- How does your own character influence what you choose to believe?

A Different Perspective

Authority can be misused, and personal bias may distort judgment.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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