Bible Quote by Saint Augustine of Hippo
““...a man is not in any difficulty in making a reply according to his faith ... to those who try to defame our Holy Scripture. ... when they produce from any of their books a theory contrary to Scripture ... either we shall have some ability to demonstrate that it is absolutely false, or at least we ourselves will hold it so without any shadow of a doubt. ...let us choose [the doctrine] which appears as certainly the meaning intended by the author. ... For it is one thing to fail to recognize the primary meaning of the writer, and another to depart from the norms of religious belief.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: On Christian Doctrine, Book 2, c. 393 AD
The passage urges faithful interpretation of Scripture, defending it against false theories and emphasizing adherence to its intended meaning and religious norms.
In simple terms: Interpret Scripture correctly and defend it against false claims.
Key Takeaway
Seek true meaning, reject misinterpretations.
Themes
faith
interpretation
defense
religion
truth
Mood
reflective
serious
inquisitive
Type
theological
apologetic
didactic
When to use this quote
- preaching
- academic study
- interfaith dialogue
- personal study
- teaching
Key Concepts
theology
hermeneutics
apologetics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance literal meaning with cultural context?
- What role should doubt play in faith?
A Different Perspective
The text assumes a single correct meaning, which may overlook literary nuance or diverse traditions.
