--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Selective literalism' is another attempt…" description: "\"“Selective literalism' is another attempt in a very long line of techniques designed and intended to shape God into our own image\". ~R. Alan Woods [201..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f0/r-alan-woods-1455_anthropocentrism_selective-literalism-is-another-attempt_1896720.jpg" --- # Selective literalism' is another attempt in a very long… ![“Selective literalism' is another attempt in a very long line of techniques designed and intended to shape God into our own image". ~R. Alan Woods [2012]” quote by R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f0/r-alan-woods-1455_anthropocentrism_selective-literalism-is-another-attempt_1896720.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f0/r-alan-woods-1455_anthropocentrism_selective-literalism-is-another-attempt_1896720.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f0/r-alan-woods-1455_anthropocentrism_selective-literalism-is-another-attempt_1896720.jpg) > ““Selective literalism' is another attempt in a very long line of techniques designed and intended to shape God into our own image". ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\]”” [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attempting to force divine concepts into human images limits true spirituality. **In simple terms:** We misinterpret God by projecting our ideas onto it. Key Takeaway Seek humility and let spiritual understanding emerge naturally. Themes spirituality religion interpretation humility Mood contemplative thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal meditation - interfaith dialogue - theological study - creative writing Key Concepts theology anthropomorphism faith self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - In what ways do we project our biases onto the divine? - How can we honor mystery while seeking meaning? A Different Perspective Rigid literalism can stifle personal growth and diverse perspectives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anthropocentrism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anthropocentrism/) [Literalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literalism/) [R-alan-woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/r-alan-woods/) ## Related quotes > [We shape our God, and then our God shapes us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/we-shape-our-god-and-then-our-god-shapes-us/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [To seek after any shape of God, and to assign a form and image to Him, is a proof of man's folly. For God,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/to-seek-after-any-shape-of-god-and-to-assign-a-form-and-image-to-him/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [“A sculpture of the magnificent shape of God. Oh, admittedly it was a shallow rendering of That Which Cannot Be Named; but art is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-barron/a-sculpture-of-the-magnificent-shape-of-god-oh-admittedly-it-was-a/) [Laird Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-barron/) > [I think we shape God in our own image a lot of the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-springfield/i-think-we-shape-god-in-our-own-image-a-lot-of-the-time/) [Rick Springfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-springfield/) > [There is no man on earth who can give a final judgment on what the most beautiful shape may be. Only God knows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albrecht-durer/there-is-no-man-on-earth-who-can-give-a-final-judgment-on-what-the/) [Albrecht Durer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albrecht-durer/) > [ “In my opinion, we will always be sinners in need of our Savior, Jesus Christ." ~R. Alan Woods \[2007\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/in-my-opinion-we-will-always-be-sinners-in-need-of-our-savior-jesus/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [“It's not about worthiness, it's about willingness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/it-s-not-about-worthiness-it-s-about-willingness/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “There are enough hours in a day to know that you are truly loved." ~R. Alan Woods \[2013\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/there-are-enough-hours-in-a-day-to-know-that-you-are-truly-loved-r/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “Be annoyed and sin not" ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/be-annoyed-and-sin-not-r-alan-woods-2012/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “I have struck out more times than I can count, but I have hit many home runs as well". ~R. Alan Woods {2013\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/i-have-struck-out-more-times-than-i-can-count-but-i-have-hit-many/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [“The idea that we are to be absorbed into the Deity is Gnostic in its origins and is quite antithetical to Christianity." ~R. Alan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-idea-that-we-are-to-be-absorbed-into-the-deity-is-gnostic-in-its/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “‎"If we are truly the Lord's, we all walk with a limp" ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\] \*Note: 'Jacobs Ladder'.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/if-we-are-truly-the-lord-s-we-all-walk-with-a-limp-r-alan-woods-2012/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “The Love of Christ in us never fails". ~R. Alan Woods \[2013\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-love-of-christ-in-us-never-fails-r-alan-woods-2013/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [“No one can claim to possess another, only God has the legitimate right to posses us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/no-one-can-claim-to-possess-another-only-god-has-the-legitimate-right/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [“The more important point is that Reality is much more 'nuanced' that we may imagine. Operationally co-existent economies make for a much better fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-more-important-point-is-that-reality-is-much-more-nuanced-that-we/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) ## More by R. Alan Woods > [“The more important point is that Reality is much more 'nuanced' that we may imagine. Operationally co-existent economies make for a much better fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-more-important-point-is-that-reality-is-much-more-nuanced-that-we/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [“No one can claim to possess another, only God has the legitimate right to posses us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/no-one-can-claim-to-possess-another-only-god-has-the-legitimate-right/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “The Love of Christ in us never fails". ~R. Alan Woods \[2013\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-love-of-christ-in-us-never-fails-r-alan-woods-2013/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “‎"If we are truly the Lord's, we all walk with a limp" ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\] \*Note: 'Jacobs Ladder'.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/if-we-are-truly-the-lord-s-we-all-walk-with-a-limp-r-alan-woods-2012/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [“The idea that we are to be absorbed into the Deity is Gnostic in its origins and is quite antithetical to Christianity." ~R. Alan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-idea-that-we-are-to-be-absorbed-into-the-deity-is-gnostic-in-its/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “I have struck out more times than I can count, but I have hit many home runs as well". ~R. Alan Woods {2013\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/i-have-struck-out-more-times-than-i-can-count-but-i-have-hit-many/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “Be annoyed and sin not" ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/be-annoyed-and-sin-not-r-alan-woods-2012/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “There are enough hours in a day to know that you are truly loved." ~R. Alan Woods \[2013\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/there-are-enough-hours-in-a-day-to-know-that-you-are-truly-loved-r/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [“It's not about worthiness, it's about willingness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/it-s-not-about-worthiness-it-s-about-willingness/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “In my opinion, we will always be sinners in need of our Savior, Jesus Christ." ~R. Alan Woods \[2007\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/in-my-opinion-we-will-always-be-sinners-in-need-of-our-savior-jesus/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [“Faith without reason produces a mindless Christianity which is less than useless; the focus on justice in this world produces a theology that chases…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/faith-without-reason-produces-a-mindless-christianity-which-is-less/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “‎"The only abject failure my mind can think of is ones failure to spend Eternity in God's Heaven" ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-only-abject-failure-my-mind-can-think-of-is-ones-failure-to-spend/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “Knowledge & understanding mixed with ones convictions of 'experience' is hardly impositional". ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/knowledge-understanding-mixed-with-ones-convictions-of-experience-is/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “God accomplishes much through us His servants". ~R. Alan Woods \[2012\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/god-accomplishes-much-through-us-his-servants-r-alan-woods-2012/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [ “Greed applied is prosperity realized". ~R. Alan Woods \[2006\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/greed-applied-is-prosperity-realized-r-alan-woods-2006/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) [Explore all 239 R. Alan Woods quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) ## More Anthropocentrism quotes > [“There is no life without the conditions of life that variably sustain life, and those conditions are pervasively social, establishing not the discrete ontology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/there-is-no-life-without-the-conditions-of-life-that-variably-sustain/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [We owe a huge debt to Galileo for emancipating us all from the stupid belief in an Earth-centered or man-centered (let alone God-centered) system.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/we-owe-a-huge-debt-to-galileo-for-emancipating-us-all-from-the-stupid/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“In the twentieth century nothing can better cure the anthropocentrism that is the author of all our ills than to cast ourselves into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julio-cort-zar/in-the-twentieth-century-nothing-can-better-cure-the-anthropocentrism/) [Julio Cortázar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julio-cort-zar/) > [Anthropocentrism is simply irrational. And yet this is the thrust of much of our traditional religious thought and teaching, particularly in the West.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-e-train/anthropocentrism-is-simply-irrational-and-yet-this-is-the-thrust-of/) [Russell E. Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-e-train/) > [Anthropocentrism gave rise to boredom, and when anthropomorphism was replaced by technocentrism, boredom became even more profound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/anthropocentrism-gave-rise-to-boredom-and-when-anthropomorphism-was/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If God should really speak to man, man could still never know that it was God speaking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/if-god-should-really-speak-to-man-man-could-still-never-know-that-it/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [I have a serious question." "I will give a serious answer." "Can a god be killed?" The humor drained from Roman's face. "Well, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/i-have-a-serious-question-i-will-give-a-serious-answer-can-a-god-be/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [Humanity may destroy the possibilities for life on earth unless the freedom and power that we have acquired are channeled in new creative directions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-clark-rockefeller/humanity-may-destroy-the-possibilities-for-life-on-earth-unless-the/) Steven Clark Rockefeller > [ The biggest enemy we face is anthropocentrism. This is that common attitude that everything on this Earth was put here for \[human\] use. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-pianka/the-biggest-enemy-we-face-is-anthropocentrism-this-is-that-common/) Eric Pianka > [“In the discoveries of science the harmony of the spheres is also now the harmony of life. And as the eerie illumination of science…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-denton/in-the-discoveries-of-science-the-harmony-of-the-spheres-is-also-now/) [Michael Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-denton/) > [“It necessarily follows that chance alone is at the source of every innovation, and of all creation in the biosphere. Pure chance, absolutely free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-monod/it-necessarily-follows-that-chance-alone-is-at-the-source-of-every/) [Jacques Monod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-monod/) > [Anthropocentrism, regarding human kind as the very center and pinnacle of existence, is a disease of arrested development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fox/anthropocentrism-regarding-human-kind-as-the-very-center-and-pinnacle/) [Michael Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-fox/) > [That which is called humanism, but what would be more correctly called irreligious anthropocentrism, cannot yield answers to the most essential questions of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-which-is-called-humanism-but-what-would-be-more-correctly-called/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Thus, because Christian morality leaves animals out of account (of this, more later on), they are at once outlawed in philosophical morals; they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/thus-because-christian-morality-leaves-animals-out-of-account-of-this/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [“Being a person is not nearly as overrated as having played a part in the initiation of the process that has led to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/being-a-person-is-not-nearly-as-overrated-as-having-played-a-part-in/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) [Browse all 23 Anthropocentrism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anthropocentrism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Selective literalism' is another attempt in a very long line of techniques designed and intended to shape God into our own image\". ~R. 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