Argument Quote by John Gresham Machen
“Just supposing for the sake of the argument that there is a being of such a kind as that He may with any propriety be called "God", it does seem antecedently very improbable that weak and limited creatures of a day, such as we are, should discover Him by our own efforts… who could be discovered in that way would hardly be worth discovering. I think we ought to stick to that principle rather firmly. I think we ought to be rather sure that we cannot know God unless God has been pleased to reveal Himself to us.”
About This Quote
Source Book: "Christianity and Liberalism", 1923
Machen argues that human reason alone cannot know God; divine revelation is necessary, warning against overconfidence in rational discovery.
In simple terms: Human reason can't fully grasp God without revelation.
Key Takeaway
Seek humility and openness to divine revelation.
Themes
faith
knowledge
humility
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious study
- spiritual practice
- dialogue on faith
Key Concepts
theology
epistemology
divine revelation
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits does human reason have in understanding the sacred?
- How can you balance reason and faith?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on intellect may lead to false conclusions about the divine.
