Believe Quote by John Shelby Spong
“The great danger... in believing yourself especially chosen is that it becomes easy to view those who are not your people as God's especially unchosen.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Great Commission, 1995
Believing you are uniquely chosen can lead to exclusionary attitudes toward others.
In simple terms: Feeling special can cause intolerance.
Key Takeaway
Stay humble and inclusive.
Themes
faith
exclusivity
humility
community
identity
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- interfaith dialogue
- social activism
Key Concepts
theology
social dynamics
spiritual arrogance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize when you feel chosen?
- What practices foster inclusive thinking?
A Different Perspective
Exclusivity can sometimes strengthen group identity.
![“I know Jerry [Falwell] fairly well, and he's probably not bright enough to recognize all of the implications of what he said.” quote by John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/654/john-shelby-spong-1488_enough_i-know-jerry-falwell-fairly-well-and-he_109485.jpg)
![“I find it fascinating that Paul [the apostol], writing to the Galatians, responds to the question, "What does it mean to live in Christ?" by saying, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."” quote by John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/48e/john-shelby-spong-1488_christ_i-find-it-fascinating-that-paul-the-apos_119928.jpg)
