--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For another thing, people's notions of…" description: "\"“For another thing, people's notions of the really big scriptural Subject can be quite beside the point. Suppose, by way of illustration, they were to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/robert-farrar-capon-4404_bible_for-another-thing-people-s-notions-of-th_2572445.jpg" --- # For another thing, people's notions of the really big… ![“For another thing, people's notions of the really big scriptural Subject can be quite beside the point. Suppose, by way of illustration, they were to decide that the Bible is a book about God. Harmless enough, you think? Look at how many difficulties even so apparently correct a statement can give…” quote by Robert Farrar Capon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/robert-farrar-capon-4404_bible_for-another-thing-people-s-notions-of-th_2572445.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/robert-farrar-capon-4404_bible_for-another-thing-people-s-notions-of-th_2572445.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a04/robert-farrar-capon-4404_bible_for-another-thing-people-s-notions-of-th_2572445.jpg) > ““For another thing, people's notions of the really big scriptural Subject can be quite beside the point. Suppose, by way of illustration, they were to decide that the Bible is a book about God. Harmless enough, you think? Look at how many difficulties even so apparently correct a statement can give them - and how many otherwise open scriptural doors it forces them to close. Such a position can easily lead them to expect that on every page they will find the subject of God addressed - or if it is not, that they will find there some other subject that is at least worthy of him (as they understand worthiness, of course). But that is a tricky proposition. In the Gospel of John, we read, "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son \[many texts read God\], who is in the bosom of the Father, he has said the last word about him" (1:18). Only Jesus, apparently, is the full revelation of what God is and does; any notions we come up with are always partial, frequently misleading, and sometimes completely off the mark.”” [Robert Farrar Capon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-farrar-capon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that defining the Bible solely as a book about God limits understanding, as God’s nature is only partially revealed through Jesus, and other interpretations may be misleading. **In simple terms:** Seeing God only as a book subject God restricts insight; Jesus reveals God fully, but our ideas stay partial. Key Takeaway Recognize the limits of our interpretations and seek deeper insight beyond simple labels. Themes theology interpretation humility Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type theological reflective When to use this quote - preaching - Bible study - academic theology - personal reflection Key Concepts Christology revelation scriptural analysis Questions to Reflect On - How does focusing only on God shape our reading of scripture? - What other subjects might the Bible address beyond God? 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Such a position can easily lead them to expect that on every page they will find the subject of God addressed - or if it is not, that they will find there some other subject that is at least worthy of him (as they understand worthiness, of course). But that is a tricky proposition. In the Gospel of John, we read, \"No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son [many texts read God], who is in the bosom of the Father, he has said the last word about him\" (1:18). 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