Augustine Quote by Richard Dawkins
“St. Augustine wrote that basically it is not possible to understand what was being described in Genesis. It was not intended as a science textbook. It was intended as a description of who God was, who we are and what our relationship is supposed to be with God.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, 2006
Augustine argued Genesis is theological narrative, not scientific treatise, focusing on divine identity and human relationship.
In simple terms: Genesis is about God and us, not science.
Key Takeaway
Read Genesis as story, not science.
Themes
theology
interpretation
science vs faith
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
explanatory
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Bible study
- faith education
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
hermeneutics
religious narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How does viewing Genesis as story affect belief?
- Can faith and science coexist?
A Different Perspective
May overlook scientific insights in the text.
![“Again, I hear almost everyday from atheists who write off religion as primitive, premodern nonsense. I summon Aquinas, Augustine, Paul [of Tarsus], Teresa of Avila, Joseph Ratzinger, and Edith Stein-in all their intellectual rigor-as allies in the the struggle against this dismissive atheism.” quote by Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86d/robert-barron-13186_allies_again-i-hear-almost-everyday-from-atheis_35728.jpg)
