--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The more I read, the less I admire modern…" description: "\"The more I read, the less I admire modern theology. the more I study the productions of the new schools of theological teachers, the more I marvel that..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b0/j-c-ryle-789_admire_the-more-i-read-the-less-i-admire-modern_773088.png" --- # The more I read, the less I admire modern theology. the… ![“The more I read, the less I admire modern theology. the more I study the productions of the new schools of theological teachers, the more I marvel that men and women can be satisfied with such writings. There is a vagueness, a mistiness, a shallowness, an indistinctness, a superficiality, an…” quote by J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b0/j-c-ryle-789_admire_the-more-i-read-the-less-i-admire-modern_773088.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b0/j-c-ryle-789_admire_the-more-i-read-the-less-i-admire-modern_773088.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b0/j-c-ryle-789_admire_the-more-i-read-the-less-i-admire-modern_773088.png) > “The more I read, the less I admire modern theology. the more I study the productions of the new schools of theological teachers, the more I marvel that men and women can be satisfied with such writings. There is a vagueness, a mistiness, a shallowness, an indistinctness, a superficiality, an aimlessness, a hollowness about the literature of the 'broader and kinder systems', as they are called, which to my mind stamps their origin on their face. They are of the earth, earthy.” [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern theological writings often appear vague, shallow, and lacking purpose, reflecting a superficial approach to faith. **In simple terms:** Modern theology can feel empty and aimless. Key Takeaway Seek depth and rigor in spiritual study. Themes theology criticism intellectual honesty faith literature Mood skeptical reflective Type critical analytical When to use this quote - academic seminars - personal study - faith discussions - teaching curricula Key Concepts superficiality vagueness aimlessness earthiness Questions to Reflect On - What criteria define meaningful theological work? - How can one balance tradition with modern relevance? A Different Perspective The critique may overlook valuable insights in some contemporary works. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Admire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admire/) [Aimlessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aimlessness/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Hollowness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollowness/) [Indistinctness Superficiality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indistinctness-superficiality-5971585/) [Kinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kinder/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mistiness Shallowness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistiness-shallowness-5971586/) [Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern/) [Modern Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-theology-4421447/) [Productions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productions/) [Satisfied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfied/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Shallowness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shallowness/) [Stamps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stamps/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Superficiality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superficiality/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Theological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theological/) [Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theology/) [Vagueness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vagueness/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writings Vagueness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writings-vagueness-5971584/) ## Related quotes > [“The hesitations and doubts that are present at many points in modern theology do not in themselves indicate a deep and final uncertainty ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-c-berkouwer/the-hesitations-and-doubts-that-are-present-at-many-points-in-modern/) [G C Berkouwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-c-berkouwer/) > [“It would be foolish for us to expect that this work will meet with general approval. The trend of modern theology—if theology it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/it-would-be-foolish-for-us-to-expect-that-this-work-will-meet-with/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [The trouble with a lot of modern theology and a lot of modern thinking about God, is that we think of God a sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/the-trouble-with-a-lot-of-modern-theology-and-a-lot-of-modern/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [We need sometimes to escape into open solitudes, into aimlessness, into the moral holiday of running some pure hazard in order to sharpen the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/we-need-sometimes-to-escape-into-open-solitudes-into-aimlessness-into/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [Freedom doesn't mean aimlessness. 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Called for a taxi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/one-foot-in-front-of-the-other-more-aimless-than-direct-bradford-left/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“I’m sure he doesn’t see it as aimless. We all have different goals. His are achievable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-cotterill/i-m-sure-he-doesn-t-see-it-as-aimless-we-all-have-different-goals-his/) [Colin Cotterill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-cotterill/) > [There is an ideal standard somewhere and only that matters and I cannot find it. Hence the aimlessness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-e-lawrence/there-is-an-ideal-standard-somewhere-and-only-that-matters-and-i/) [T. E. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-e-lawrence/) > [“Without purpose, we're zombies aimlessly roaming the earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-mostafa/without-purpose-we-re-zombies-aimlessly-roaming-the-earth/) [Ahmed Mostafa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-mostafa/) > [Rome has New York's formlessness, aimlessness, a kind of hard-boiled sophistication, blase about everything. In their filmmaking, too, the Italians have this tongue-in-cheek sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-morrissey/rome-has-new-york-s-formlessness-aimlessness-a-kind-of-hard-boiled/) [Paul Morrissey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-morrissey/) > [“Aimlessness is a vice, and such drifting must not continue for him who would steer clear of catastrophe and destruction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/aimlessness-is-a-vice-and-such-drifting-must-not-continue-for-him-who/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [When I was in college, I remember fearing that the dreary grind of adulthood would feature infinitely more existential dread than frat parties had,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/when-i-was-in-college-i-remember-fearing-that-the-dreary-grind-of/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) ## More by J. C. Ryle > [When a person’s tongue is extensively wrong, it is absurd, no less than unscriptural, to say that their heart is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/when-a-person-s-tongue-is-extensively-wrong-it-is-absurd-no-less-than/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Love should be the silver thread that runs through all your conduct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/love-should-be-the-silver-thread-that-runs-through-all-your-conduct/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Amidst the flood of dangerous reading, I plead for my Master's book; I call upon you not to forget the book of the soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/amidst-the-flood-of-dangerous-reading-i-plead-for-my-master-s-book-i/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Persecution, in short, is like the goldsmith's stamp on real silver and gold - it is one of the marks of a converted man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/persecution-in-short-is-like-the-goldsmith-s-stamp-on-real-silver-and/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [The parent who tries to train without setting a good example is building with one hand, and pulling down with the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/the-parent-who-tries-to-train-without-setting-a-good-example-is/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [We are all naturally self-righteous. It is the family disease of all the children of Adam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/we-are-all-naturally-self-righteous-it-is-the-family-disease-of-all/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Sunday morning, before we go to hear the Word of God preached...let us not rush into God’s presence careless, reckless, and unprepared, as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/sunday-morning-before-we-go-to-hear-the-word-of-god-preached-let-us/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [The true secret of spiritual strength is self-distrust and deep humilty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/the-true-secret-of-spiritual-strength-is-self-distrust-and-deep/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [That Bible is read best, which is practised most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/that-bible-is-read-best-which-is-practised-most/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [O Christian, look up and take comfort. Jesus has prepared a place for you, and those who follow Him shall never perish, neither shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/o-christian-look-up-and-take-comfort-jesus-has-prepared-a-place-for/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Let your Christianity be so unmistakable, your eye so single, your heart so whole, your walk so straightforward, that all who see you may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/let-your-christianity-be-so-unmistakable-your-eye-so-single-your/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Let it be a settled principle ...that men's salvation, if saved, is wholly of God; and that man's ruin, if lost, is wholly of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/let-it-be-a-settled-principle-that-men-s-salvation-if-saved-is-wholly/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [That Bible is read best - which is practiced most!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/that-bible-is-read-best-which-is-practiced-most/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [If we would know whether our faith is genuine, we do well to ask ourselves how we are living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/if-we-would-know-whether-our-faith-is-genuine-we-do-well-to-ask/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [To be born again is, as it were, to enter upon a new existence, to have a new mind, a new heart, new views,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/to-be-born-again-is-as-it-were-to-enter-upon-a-new-existence-to-have/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) [Explore all 369 J. C. Ryle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) ## More Admire quotes > [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-admire-serena-williams-because-i-mean-who-doesn-t-admire-serena/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) > [How proud I am to be compared to Oprah. I really admire her. She's a minority woman and she's done all this by herself...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-saralegui/how-proud-i-am-to-be-compared-to-oprah-i-really-admire-her-she-s-a/) [Cristina Saralegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-saralegui/) > [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [I really admire people's interactions with technology that aren't tech-centric but use it as a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/i-really-admire-people-s-interactions-with-technology-that-aren-t/) [Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Shaw's works make me admire the magnificent tolerance and broadmindedness of the english.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/shaw-s-works-make-me-admire-the-magnificent-tolerance-and/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. There are moments that I admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-believe-in-a-world-where-there-are-no-heroes-and-i-ve-read-and-know/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I think it's really good and helpful to have the people you most admire in some other discipline than what you work in. 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