--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: empirical life is rooted in an a priori…" description: "\"“empirical life is rooted in an a priori datum which does not come slowly into existence by mechanical development, but is a gift of God's grace, and a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/herman-bavinck-4872_empirical_empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori_1070353.png" --- # empirical life is rooted in an a priori datum which does… ![“empirical life is rooted in an a priori datum which does not come slowly into existence by mechanical development, but is a gift of God's grace, and a fruit and result of his revelation.” quote by Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/herman-bavinck-4872_empirical_empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori_1070353.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/herman-bavinck-4872_empirical_empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori_1070353.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/herman-bavinck-4872_empirical_empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori_1070353.png) > ““empirical life is rooted in an a priori datum which does not come slowly into existence by mechanical development, but is a gift of God's grace, and a fruit and result of his revelation.”” [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human experience rests on a divine datum, a grace‑gift that precedes reason **In simple terms:** Grace gives the basis for knowledge Key Takeaway Recognize divine grace as foundation of understanding Themes theology philosophy grace Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - academic study - personal reflection - teaching - faith formation Key Concepts a priori datum revelation empirical life Questions to Reflect On - How does grace influence scientific inquiry? - Can empirical life exist without divine input? A Different Perspective Human reason alone cannot fully explain existence ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [God'S Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-grace/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [God's grace is not infinite. God is infinite, and God is gracious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/god-s-grace-is-not-infinite-god-is-infinite-and-god-is-gracious/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [It is by God's grace and provision that Hobby Lobby has endured. Therefore, we seek to honor God by operating the company in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-green/it-is-by-god-s-grace-and-provision-that-hobby-lobby-has-endured/) [David Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-green/) > [When your humanness is confronted by the magnificence and holiness of God, you are made SO aware of your need for God’s grace...Romans 12:1…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-zschech/when-your-humanness-is-confronted-by-the-magnificence-and-holiness-of/) [Darlene Zschech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-zschech/) > [No matter how good you are, you still need grace to get out of the material world. You can be a yogi or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-harrison/no-matter-how-good-you-are-you-still-need-grace-to-get-out-of-the/) [George Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-harrison/) > [I have, by God’s grace, learned as a member of the Christian community what is the nature of God’s mercy, which does not leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/i-have-by-god-s-grace-learned-as-a-member-of-the-christian-community/) [Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/) > [“Without God's grace, the soul is dead in sin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/without-god-s-grace-the-soul-is-dead-in-sin/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I have to be so thankful. I have two kids, my beautiful wife, I'm just blown away at God's grace and God's faithfulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-camp/i-have-to-be-so-thankful-i-have-two-kids-my-beautiful-wife-i-m-just/) [Jeremy Camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-camp/) > [While our sin reaches far, God's grace reaches farther. God came after us not to strip away our freedom but to strip away our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tullian-tchividjian/while-our-sin-reaches-far-god-s-grace-reaches-farther-god-came-after/) [Tullian Tchividjian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tullian-tchividjian/) > [Well actually I don't think it's a bunch of bad things that send us to hell. I think it is rejection of God's grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/well-actually-i-don-t-think-it-s-a-bunch-of-bad-things-that-send-us/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Due to God's grace and a good director, I became successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajinikanth/due-to-god-s-grace-and-a-good-director-i-became-successful/) [Rajinikanth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajinikanth/) > [“In the midst of our failed attempts at loving Jesus, His grace covers us. Each of us has lukewarm elements and practices in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/in-the-midst-of-our-failed-attempts-at-loving-jesus-his-grace-covers/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“The mercy of God's grace guides me in the right path.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-mercy-of-god-s-grace-guides-me-in-the-right-path/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [frustration, complication and misery are available in abundance, but so is God's grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/frustration-complication-and-misery-are-available-in-abundance-but-so/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“In this life, only one thing is needful ; God's grace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/in-this-life-only-one-thing-is-needful-god-s-grace/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [If you aren't constantly astonished at God's grace in your solitude, there's no way it can happen in public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-aren-t-constantly-astonished-at-god-s-grace-in-your-solitude/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## More by Herman Bavinck > [“Christ is not the founder of Christianity, nor the first confessor of it, nor the first Christian. But he is Christianity itself, in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/christ-is-not-the-founder-of-christianity-nor-the-first-confessor-of/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“Man can as little make propitiation for his sin as he can forgive it himself. But God can do both, atone and forgive; he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/man-can-as-little-make-propitiation-for-his-sin-as-he-can-forgive-it/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [Faith and repentance are as much benefits of the covenant of grace as justification . . . . faith and repentance themselves . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/faith-and-repentance-are-as-much-benefits-of-the-covenant-of-grace-as/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“revelation always supposes that man is able to receive impressions or thoughts or inclinations from another than this phenomenal world, and in a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/revelation-always-supposes-that-man-is-able-to-receive-impressions-or/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“the plan of salvation in the Christian religion determines the method of Christian theology.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/the-plan-of-salvation-in-the-christian-religion-determines-the-method/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“science, which can make known only the interrelations of things, but never their origin, essence and end, will never be able to satisfy the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/science-which-can-make-known-only-the-interrelations-of-things-but/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“All culture, whatever significance it may have, just as all education, civilization, development, is absolutely powerless to renew the inner man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/all-culture-whatever-significance-it-may-have-just-as-all-education/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“Without revelation religion sinks back into a pernicious superstition.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/without-revelation-religion-sinks-back-into-a-pernicious-superstition/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“The truth and value of Christianity do not depend on the fruits which it has borne for civilization and culture: it has its own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/the-truth-and-value-of-christianity-do-not-depend-on-the-fruits-which/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“If the essence of things is unknowable, the misery of man cannot be fathomed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/if-the-essence-of-things-is-unknowable-the-misery-of-man-cannot-be/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“if sin bears an ethical character, then redemption is possible, and conversion is in principle the conquest of sin, the death of the old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/if-sin-bears-an-ethical-character-then-redemption-is-possible-and/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“To separate between religion and metaphysics, however often it may have been attempted, is impossible”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/to-separate-between-religion-and-metaphysics-however-often-it-may/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“205The segregation and the election of Israel served the sole purpose of maintaining, unmixed and unadulterated, continuing and perfecting, the original revelation, which threatened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/205the-segregation-and-the-election-of-israel-served-the-sole-purpose/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“No psychology of religion can teach us what conversion is and ought to be; the Scriptures alone can tell us that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/no-psychology-of-religion-can-teach-us-what-conversion-is-and-ought/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) > [“Formerly men said that life was thought, but now we are told that life is will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/formerly-men-said-that-life-was-thought-but-now-we-are-told-that-life/) [Herman Bavinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) [Explore all 105 Herman Bavinck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/) ## More Empirical quotes > [I had made an empirical discovery and it carried all the weight of a mathematical proof.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/i-had-made-an-empirical-discovery-and-it-carried-all-the-weight-of-a/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [A system is empirical or scientific only if it is capable of being tested by experience. These considerations suggest that not the verifiability but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-popper/a-system-is-empirical-or-scientific-only-if-it-is-capable-of-being/) [Karl Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-popper/) > [“The fundamental basis by which the court’s decision might be made is, in itself, imperfect and subject to contradictions. There is very little consideration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashim-shanker/the-fundamental-basis-by-which-the-court-s-decision-might-be-made-is/) [Ashim Shanker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashim-shanker/) > [ \[The aim of science is\] to explain what so far has taken to be an explicans, such as a law of nature. The task… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-popper/the-aim-of-science-is-to-explain-what-so-far-has-taken-to-be-an/) [Karl Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-popper/) > [Investing is not a natural science but rather a social science. So, it's never purely empirical; what you are trying to do is everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-browne/investing-is-not-a-natural-science-but-rather-a-social-science-so-it/) [William Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-browne/) > [“Empirical reality becomes nature when we view it with respect to its universal characteristics; it becomes history when we view it as particular and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-nardin/empirical-reality-becomes-nature-when-we-view-it-with-respect-to-its/) [Terry Nardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-nardin/) > [The child who has no need to feign empirical knowledge about life can wonder and fantasise with great ease. The world is his oyster,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-leunig/the-child-who-has-no-need-to-feign-empirical-knowledge-about-life-can/) [Michael Leunig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-leunig/) > [Empirical debunking cannot reach the deepest fear of the reactionary mind, which is that the state - that devouring leviathan - will soon swallow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perlstein/empirical-debunking-cannot-reach-the-deepest-fear-of-the-reactionary/) [Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perlstein/) > [To define knowledge as merely empirical is to limit one's ability to know; it enfeebles one's ability to feel and think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/to-define-knowledge-as-merely-empirical-is-to-limit-one-s-ability-to/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [Our empirical criterion for a series of theories is that it should produce new facts. The idea of growth and the concept of empirical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imre-lakatos/our-empirical-criterion-for-a-series-of-theories-is-that-it-should/) [Imre Lakatos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imre-lakatos/) > [Discerning the merits of competing claims is where the empirical basis of science should play a role. I cannot stress often enough that what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-m-krauss/discerning-the-merits-of-competing-claims-is-where-the-empirical/) [Lawrence M. Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-m-krauss/) > [The ocean is the last frontier of human empirical knowledge; even the contours on that eighth-grader's globe are the product of a mix of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-huffman/the-ocean-is-the-last-frontier-of-human-empirical-knowledge-even-the/) [Alan Huffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-huffman/) > [It is generally believed that our science is empirical and that we draw our concepts and our mathematical constructs from the empirical data. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-heisenberg/it-is-generally-believed-that-our-science-is-empirical-and-that-we/) [Werner Heisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-heisenberg/) > [Edison was by far the most successful and, probably, the last exponent of the purely empirical method of investigation. Everything he achieved was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-tesla/edison-was-by-far-the-most-successful-and-probably-the-last-exponent/) [Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-tesla/) > [ “It is an empirical judgement \[to say\] that I perceive and judge an object with pleasure. But it is an a priori judgement \[to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/it-is-an-empirical-judgement-to-say-that-i-perceive-and-judge-an/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) Browse all 48 Empirical quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“empirical life is rooted in an a priori datum which does not come slowly into existence by mechanical development, but is a gift of God's grace, and a fruit and result of his revelation.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Herman Bavinck" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori-datum-which-does-not-come/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Empirical" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori-datum-which-does-not-come/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/herman-bavinck-4872_empirical_empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori_1070353.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/herman-bavinck-4872_empirical_empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori_1070353.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/herman-bavinck-4872_empirical_empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori_1070353.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“empirical life is rooted in an a priori datum which does not come slowly into existence by mechanical…” — Herman Bavinck", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Herman Bavinck", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-bavinck/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“empirical life is rooted in an...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori-datum-which-does-not-come/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-bavinck/empirical-life-is-rooted-in-an-a-priori-datum-which-does-not-come/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```