Certainty Quote by Saint Augustine
“Often a non-Christian knows something about the earth, the heavens, and the other parts of the world, about the motions and orbits of the stars and even their sizes and distances... and this knowledge he holds with certainty from reason and experience. It is thus offensive and disgraceful for an unbeliever to hear a Christian talk nonsense about such things, claiming that what he is saying is based in Scripture. We should do all that we can to avoid such an embarrassing situation, which people see as ignorance in the Christian and laugh to scorn.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: The City of God, Book 13, 426 AD
Reason and experience give reliable knowledge about the natural world, and Christians should not claim scriptural authority for such facts, avoiding embarrassment and ridicule.
In simple terms: Reason gives trustworthy facts; Christians should not misuse scripture for science.
Key Takeaway
Respect scientific knowledge and keep faith separate from empirical claims.
Themes
faith
reason
humility
communication
Mood
thoughtful
respectful
Type
theological
educational
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- interfaith dialogue
- teaching
- media interviews
Key Concepts
epistemology
theology
intellectual honesty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can believers discuss science without appearing defensive?
- What role should scripture play in explaining the physical world?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue faith can also explain natural phenomena, but this can blur boundaries.
![“[I]f in other sciences we should arrive at certainty without doubt and truth without error, it behooves us to place the foundations of knowledge in mathematics, in so far as disposed through it we are able to reach certainty in other sciences and truth by the exclusion of error.” quote by Roger Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d13/roger-bacon-15067_able_i-f-in-other-sciences-we-should-arrive-a_24209.jpg)