Christianity Quote by Marcus J. Borg
““Because modern critical thinking is corrosive of conventional religious beliefs, some Christians reject applying it to the Bible and Christianity. The result is fundamentalism and much of conservative Christianity, which holds that regardless of the claims of modern knowledge, the Bible and Christianity are true—and not just true, but factually true.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Heart of Christianity by Marcus J. Borg, 2003
Modern critical thinking challenges traditional religious claims, leading some Christians to reject it, resulting in fundamentalist positions that claim literal factual truth of the Bible.
In simple terms: Critical thinking clashes with literal belief, prompting fundamentalism.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the tension between faith and reason.
Themes
faith
reason
fundamentalism
modernity
religion
Mood
reflective
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
theological
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- academic study
- personal belief
- church teaching
Key Concepts
epistemology
truth claims
interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can believers balance critical inquiry with faith?
- What are the risks of rejecting modern knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Faith may resist evidence, limiting dialogue.
![“I began to read [Bible] as a critic, an in-house critic. So I got to a place where when I got to the university, I just couldn't reconcile that book and some of its points of view with stuff I was learning in my academic career. And so then you have a choice: either you give up your academic…” quote by John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c08/john-shelby-spong-1488_academic_i-began-to-read-bible-as-a-critic-an-in_1438471.jpg)
