--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The classical error of historical…" description: "\"The classical error of historical Christianity is that we have never started with the value of the person. Rather, we have started from the 'unworthine..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/robert-h-schuller-2371_christian_the-classical-error-of-historical-christ_964837.jpg" --- # The classical error of historical Christianity is that we… ![“The classical error of historical Christianity is that we have never started with the value of the person. Rather, we have started from the 'unworthiness of the sinner,' and that starting point has set the stage for the glorification of human shame in Christian theology.” quote by Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/robert-h-schuller-2371_christian_the-classical-error-of-historical-christ_964837.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/robert-h-schuller-2371_christian_the-classical-error-of-historical-christ_964837.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/robert-h-schuller-2371_christian_the-classical-error-of-historical-christ_964837.jpg) > “The classical error of historical Christianity is that we have never started with the value of the person. Rather, we have started from the 'unworthiness of the sinner,' and that starting point has set the stage for the glorification of human shame in Christian theology.” [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Christian theology often begins by labeling people as unworthy, which elevates shame rather than human dignity. **In simple terms:** Starting with shame devalues people. Key Takeaway Recenter on inherent worth. Themes theology human dignity shame ethics Mood reflective critical Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - pastoral counseling - church teaching - personal reflection - social justice - community building Key Concepts Christian doctrine anthropology moral psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does focusing on worth change moral teaching? - Can shame be a useful motivator? A Different Perspective Some argue that sin concepts is essential for moral accountability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-theology/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Errors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/errors/) [Glorification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glorification/) [Glorification Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glorification-human-871774/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [Historical Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical-christianity-1812360/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Human Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-shame-1461724/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Shame Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame-christian-1812361/) [Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sinner/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting/) [Starting point](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting-point/) [Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theology/) [Unworthiness Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unworthiness-sinner-1812362/) [Value Of The Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value-of-the-person-224645/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [“Let's consider the Bible with fresh eyes without the distorted lens of historical Christianity. Let's pray that the readers of this book ('ONE: Unfolding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hon/let-s-consider-the-bible-with-fresh-eyes-without-the-distorted-lens/) [Henry Hon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hon/) > [“THE MANDATE OF CREATION is a source both of glory and of shame for the Christian community.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-davison-hunter/the-mandate-of-creation-is-a-source-both-of-glory-and-of-shame-for/) [James Davison Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-davison-hunter/) > [“It is a shame when a Christian gives an unqualified approval to the positive messages in The 40-Year-Old Virgin or Little Miss Sunshine, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-m-beaumont/it-is-a-shame-when-a-christian-gives-an-unqualified-approval-to-the/) [Douglas M. Beaumont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-m-beaumont/) > [To me, art is the glorification of the human spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/to-me-art-is-the-glorification-of-the-human-spirit/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [Art is to me the glorification of the human spirit, and as such it is the cultural documentation of the time in which it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/art-is-to-me-the-glorification-of-the-human-spirit-and-as-such-it-is/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [You will know the value of the person, if they are gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tequilamucho/you-will-know-the-value-of-the-person-if-they-are-gone/) [Tequilamucho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tequilamucho/) > [The value of the personal relationship to all things is that it creates intimacy and intimacy creates understanding and understanding creates love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-value-of-the-personal-relationship-to-all-things-is-that-it/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [“To understand the total forgiveness of sins, we have to understand the value of the person Who sacrificed Himself on the cross for us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/to-understand-the-total-forgiveness-of-sins-we-have-to-understand-the/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [Tied to the value of the person is the principle of servanthood. We value what we freely serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-groothuis/tied-to-the-value-of-the-person-is-the-principle-of-servanthood-we/) [Douglas Groothuis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-groothuis/) > [“I don’t care what your excuse is, I don’t care what you think God told you to do, if you are in the business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/i-don-t-care-what-your-excuse-is-i-don-t-care-what-you-think-god-told/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [ “I came to feel a certain kind of shame at the aquarium \[…\] \[T\]here was a shame in being human: the shame of knowing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/i-came-to-feel-a-certain-kind-of-shame-at-the-aquarium-t-here-was-a/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [“They were without shame and without desire, like the angels. But it is not human to be without shame and without desire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/they-were-without-shame-and-without-desire-like-the-angels-but-it-is/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [It is not human to be without shame and without desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/it-is-not-human-to-be-without-shame-and-without-desire/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“If our primary caregivers are shame-based, they will act shameless and pass their toxic shame onto us. There is no way to teach self-value…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/if-our-primary-caregivers-are-shame-based-they-will-act-shameless-and/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) > [They're the last human beings susceptible to human shame. Politicians are the only people left for whom, occasionally, shame hurts them. Everyone else, we've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-lovett/they-re-the-last-human-beings-susceptible-to-human-shame-politicians/) [Jon Lovett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-lovett/) ## More by Robert H. Schuller > [Again and again, the impossible problem is solved when we see that the problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/again-and-again-the-impossible-problem-is-solved-when-we-see-that-the/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [God's delays are not God's denials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/god-s-delays-are-not-god-s-denials/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing perfectly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/better-to-do-something-imperfectly-than-to-do-nothing-perfectly/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [To be born again means that we must be changed from a negative to a positive self-image - from inferiority to self-esteem, from fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/to-be-born-again-means-that-we-must-be-changed-from-a-negative-to-a/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [If only we could love ourselves enough to dare to approach God, what constructive dreams he would give us! What noble possibilities God wants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/if-only-we-could-love-ourselves-enough-to-dare-to-approach-god-what/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [You can think negatively or positively. If you are a positive thinker, you will base your decisions on faith rather than fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/you-can-think-negatively-or-positively-if-you-are-a-positive-thinker/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [Any analysis of 'sin' or 'evil' or 'demonic influence' or 'negative thinking' or 'systemic evil' or 'antisocial behavior' that fails to see the lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/any-analysis-of-sin-or-evil-or-demonic-influence-or-negative-thinking/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [How we express ourselves in worship remains up in the air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/how-we-express-ourselves-in-worship-remains-up-in-the-air/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [I am not fully forgiven until I allow God to write his new dream for my life on the blackboard of my mind. ..…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/i-am-not-fully-forgiven-until-i-allow-god-to-write-his-new-dream-for/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [When you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/when-you-are-in-your-worst-moods-wait-be-patient-the-storm-will-pass/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [I have had more honors than I've deserved and more rewards than I expected. It can be tempting just to say, 'Well, I'm going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/i-have-had-more-honors-than-i-ve-deserved-and-more-rewards-than-i/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [Twentieth century history of Christianity will name Oral Roberts as the voice that brought the Pentecostal movement to be taken seriously by mainline Christianity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/twentieth-century-history-of-christianity-will-name-oral-roberts-as/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [For every mountain, there is a miracle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/for-every-mountain-there-is-a-miracle/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/spectacular-achievement-is-always-preceded-by-unspectacular/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) > [A mission is a place where you ask nonbelievers to come and find faith and hope and feel love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/a-mission-is-a-place-where-you-ask-nonbelievers-to-come-and-find/) [Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) [Explore all 169 Robert H. Schuller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/) ## More Christian quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/) > [Always have the fear of God in your heart, and remember that God is always with you, everywhere, whether you are walking or sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennadius-of-constantinople/always-have-the-fear-of-god-in-your-heart-and-remember-that-god-is/) [Gennadius of Constantinople](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennadius-of-constantinople/) > [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/) [Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/poor-david-hume-is-dying-fast-but-with-more-real-cheerfulness-and/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The classical error of historical Christianity is that we have never started with the value of the person. Rather, we have started from the 'unworthiness of the sinner,' and that starting point has set the stage for the glorification of human shame in Christian theology.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert H. Schuller" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/the-classical-error-of-historical-christianity-is-that-we-have-never/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/the-classical-error-of-historical-christianity-is-that-we-have-never/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/robert-h-schuller-2371_christian_the-classical-error-of-historical-christ_964837.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/robert-h-schuller-2371_christian_the-classical-error-of-historical-christ_964837.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/robert-h-schuller-2371_christian_the-classical-error-of-historical-christ_964837.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The classical error of historical Christianity is that we have never started with the value of the person…” — Robert H. Schuller", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Robert H. Schuller", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The classical error of historical Christianity...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/the-classical-error-of-historical-christianity-is-that-we-have-never/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/the-classical-error-of-historical-christianity-is-that-we-have-never/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```