--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But there is no perfect guide for…" description: "\"“But there is no perfect guide for discerning God's movement in the world, Contrary to what many conservatives say, the Bible is not a blueprint on thi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/james-h-cone-27875_bible_but-there-is-no-perfect-guide-for-discer_1261280.jpg" --- # But there is no perfect guide for discerning God's… ![“But there is no perfect guide for discerning God's movement in the world, Contrary to what many conservatives say, the Bible is not a blueprint on this matter. It is a valuable symbol for point to God's revelation in Jesus, but it is not self-interpreting. We are thus place in an existential…” quote by James H. Cone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/james-h-cone-27875_bible_but-there-is-no-perfect-guide-for-discer_1261280.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/james-h-cone-27875_bible_but-there-is-no-perfect-guide-for-discer_1261280.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/james-h-cone-27875_bible_but-there-is-no-perfect-guide-for-discer_1261280.jpg) > ““But there is no perfect guide for discerning God's movement in the world, Contrary to what many conservatives say, the Bible is not a blueprint on this matter. It is a valuable symbol for point to God's revelation in Jesus, but it is not self-interpreting. We are thus place in an existential situation of freedom in which the burden is on us to make decisions without a guaranteed ethical guide.”” [James H. Cone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-h-cone/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human freedom requires personal moral responsibility because religious texts are not exhaustive ethical manuals. **In simple terms:** We must decide ethically without a perfect guide. Key Takeaway Accept responsibility for ethical choices. Themes freedom responsibility ethics religion Mood reflective serious Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - personal decision making - community leadership - social activism - faith practice Key Concepts existentialism theology moral agency Questions to Reflect On - How do you navigate moral uncertainty? - What role should tradition play in modern ethics? A Different Perspective Religious texts may be interpreted differently, causing conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [“One of the greatest joys of not judging others is becoming capable of discerning God's will in a difficult situation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kuypers/one-of-the-greatest-joys-of-not-judging-others-is-becoming-capable-of/) [John Kuypers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kuypers/) > [Discerning the will of God is a very tricky thing, partly because, you know, the little voice in my head can either be God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-robinson/discerning-the-will-of-god-is-a-very-tricky-thing-partly-because-you/) [Gene Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-robinson/) > [Through the years, I have discovered some essential principles in discerning God's will: First, by God's grace, we must be firmly committed to seeking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/through-the-years-i-have-discovered-some-essential-principles-in/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [The bible is not a blueprint for every day of your life, it is an inspiration not a blueprint. 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Cone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-h-cone/) > [One can lynch a person without a rope or tree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-h-cone/one-can-lynch-a-person-without-a-rope-or-tree/) [James H. Cone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-h-cone/) > [“The gospel of Jesus is not a rational concept to be explained in a theory of salvation, but a story about God’s presence in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-h-cone/the-gospel-of-jesus-is-not-a-rational-concept-to-be-explained-in-a/) [James H. Cone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-h-cone/) > [While the rich reap most of the benefits of technological development, the poor bear an unequal burden of dealing with the consequences of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-h-cone/while-the-rich-reap-most-of-the-benefits-of-technological-development/) [James H. Cone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-h-cone/) > [“The Christian community, therefore, is that community that freely becomes oppressed, because they know that Jesus himself has defined humanity's liberation in the context…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-h-cone/the-christian-community-therefore-is-that-community-that-freely/) [James H. Cone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-h-cone/) [Explore all 20 James H. Cone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-h-cone/) ## More Bible quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. 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