Beauty Quote by John G. Stackhouse Jr
““My recommendation instead, however, is that we do not surrender questions of value, whether absolute matters of truth, goodness, and beauty or relative judgment of more or less truth, goodness, and beauty. With those questions to the fore, in fact, we can interrogate various other traditions and truly learn something that can improve our own. Perhaps the Presbyterians really do know more than we do about due process in church government. Perhaps the Orthodox really do know some things we do not about iconography. Perhaps the Mennonites really can teach us the meaning of 'enough.' Perhaps the Pentecostals can help liberate us from dull and disembodied worship. Baptists who have learned to improve their procedures from Presbyterians, their art from the Orthodox, their finances from the Mennonites, and their worship from the Pentecostals do not therefore become worse Baptists but better ones. And so around the ecumenical circle, no?””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ecumenical Imperative by John G. Stackhouse Jr, 1995
We should keep asking fundamental questions about truth, goodness, and beauty, and learn from other traditions to improve our own practices.
In simple terms: Value questions matter; learn from others to improve.
Key Takeaway
Preserve deep questions and borrow wisely.
Themes
theumenism
learning
interfaith dialogue
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
theological
reflective
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- interfaith education
- community building
- personal spiritual growth
Key Concepts
Theology
comparative religion
process improvement
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance respect for tradition with critical inquiry?
- What limits arise when borrowing practices?
A Different Perspective
Different traditions may conflict, making synthesis hard.
