Affair Quote by Lesslie Newbigin
“This withdrawal of theology from the world of secular affairs is made more complete by the work of biblical scholars whose endlessly fascinating exercises have made it appear to the lay Christian that no one untrained in their methods can really understand anything the Bible says. We are in a situation analogous to one about which the great Reformers complained. The Bible has been taken out of the hands of the layperson; it has now become the professional property not of the priesthood but of the scholars.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, 1989
Biblical scholarship can alienate laypeople, turning the Bible into an academic specialty rather than a living text.
In simple terms: Scholars can make the Bible seem inaccessible.
Key Takeaway
Encourage plain‑language study, bridge gap.
Themes
accessibility
authority
faith
education
Mood
thoughtful
educational
inquisitive
Type
theological
educational
practical
When to use this quote
- church teaching
- Bible study groups
- seminar discussions
Key Concepts
theological elitism
interpretive authority
lay empowerment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can churches balance scholarship with accessibility?
- What role should laypeople have in interpreting scripture?
A Different Perspective
Risk of oversimplifying complex doctrines.
![“God also gave Theologians, Biblical scholars, and Christian authors to mature the Saints and to promote the cause of Christ and God's Kingdom". ~R. Alan Woods [2012]” quote by R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/10b/r-alan-woods-1455_books_god-also-gave-theologians-biblical-schol_2038823.jpg)
![“A true god surely cannot have been born of a girl, nor died on the gibbet, nor be eaten in a piece of dough... [or inspired] books, filled with contradictions, madness, and horror.” quote by Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c97/voltaire-173_bible_a-true-god-surely-cannot-have-been-born_142573.jpg)
