Beautiful Quote by Jaroslav Pelikan
“To invoke a Kierkegaardesque figure of speech, the beauty of the language of the Bible can be like a set of dentist's instruments nearly laid out on a table and hanging on a wall, intriguing in their technological complexity and with their stainless steel highly polished--until they set to work on the job for which they were originally designed. Then all of a sudden my reaction changes from "How shiny and beautiful they all are!" to "Get that damned thing out of my mouth!”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Christian Tradition: Its Evolution and Significance, 1955
The quote contrasts the initial aesthetic appreciation of biblical language with the discomfort when its literal meaning is applied, highlighting the tension between beauty and harsh reality.
In simple terms: Beautiful words can become painful when used literally.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when language shifts from art to function.
Themes
language
interpretation
religion
beauty
discomfort
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
literary
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading scripture
- academic analysis
- public preaching
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
theology
semantic shift
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your perception change when you move from admiration to practical use?
- When does beauty become a barrier?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may overstate the harshness of literal interpretation.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
