--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Christianity is not a theory or…" description: "\"Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a life and a living process.\" — Samuel Taylor Coleridge" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_christianity_christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculat_1486168.jpg" --- # Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life… ![“Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a life and a living process.” quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_christianity_christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculat_1486168.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_christianity_christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculat_1486168.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_christianity_christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculat_1486168.jpg) > “Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a life and a living process.” [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that Christianity is lived experience, not mere theory, emphasizing ongoing personal transformation. **In simple terms:** Christianity is lived, not just thought. Key Takeaway Live faith through daily practice. Themes faith experience philosophy spirituality practice Mood contemplative hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily worship - ethical decisions - community service Key Concepts theology existentialism personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How can daily actions reflect spiritual beliefs? - What distinguishes belief from practice? A Different Perspective Abstract doctrine alone may feel detached. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Christianity Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity-theory-4741311/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-philosophy/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-life/) [Philosophy of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-life/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Speculation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speculation/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) ## Related quotes > [Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a living presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculation-but-a-life-not-a/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [My philosophy of life is that I am deeply, deeply serious about my work and for the rest I like to have a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggi-hambling/my-philosophy-of-life-is-that-i-am-deeply-deeply-serious-about-my/) [Maggi Hambling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggi-hambling/) > [One cannot live through a long stretch of years without forming some philosophy of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/one-cannot-live-through-a-long-stretch-of-years-without-forming-some/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [My cloud photographs are equivalents of my most profound life experiences, my basic philosophy of life. 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But she has a philosophy of life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/my-mother-is-probably-the-wisest-person-i-ve-ever-known-she-s-not/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [My philosophy of life is that the meek shall inherit nothing but debasement, frustration and ignoble deaths; that there is security in personal strength;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/my-philosophy-of-life-is-that-the-meek-shall-inherit-nothing-but/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [You will attract to yourself people who harmonize with your own philosophy of life, whether you wish it or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/you-will-attract-to-yourself-people-who-harmonize-with-your-own/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [My philosophy of life is simple: I need someone to love, something to wait and do something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-presley/my-philosophy-of-life-is-simple-i-need-someone-to-love-something-to/) [Elvis Presley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-presley/) > [“Every one of us, unconsciously, works out a personal philosophy of life, by which we are guided, inspired, and corrected, as time goes on.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-matthew-adams/every-one-of-us-unconsciously-works-out-a-personal-philosophy-of-life/) [George Matthew Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-matthew-adams/) > [We wish to fill our culture once more with the spirit of Christianity - but not only in theory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/we-wish-to-fill-our-culture-once-more-with-the-spirit-of-christianity/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [“Out of sight, out of mind. My philosophy of life in a test tube.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-anne-peters/out-of-sight-out-of-mind-my-philosophy-of-life-in-a-test-tube/) [Julie Anne Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-anne-peters/) > [“Here is a good philosophy of life: Enjoy the road with flowers; enjoy the road with stones!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/here-is-a-good-philosophy-of-life-enjoy-the-road-with-flowers-enjoy/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Oh no.' Straight raised his eyes to me, and a slight smile touched the corners of his lips. 'A philosophy of life is more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigizmund-krzhizhanovsky/oh-no-straight-raised-his-eyes-to-me-and-a-slight-smile-touched-the/) [Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigizmund-krzhizhanovsky/) > [“There is no philosophy in the philosophy of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raza-wazir/there-is-no-philosophy-in-the-philosophy-of-life/) [Raza Wazir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raza-wazir/) ## More by Samuel Taylor Coleridge > [Humor is consistent with pathos, whilst wit is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/humor-is-consistent-with-pathos-whilst-wit-is-not/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Never can true courage dwell with them, Who, playing tricks with conscience, dare not look At their own vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/never-can-true-courage-dwell-with-them-who-playing-tricks-with/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [The first duty of a wise advocate is to convince his opponents that he understands their arguments, and sympathies with their just feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/the-first-duty-of-a-wise-advocate-is-to-convince-his-opponents-that/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin is pride that apes humility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/and-the-devil-did-grin-for-his-darling-sin-is-pride-that-apes-humility/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Facts are not truths; they are not conclusions; they are not even premises, but in the nature and parts of premises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/facts-are-not-truths-they-are-not-conclusions-they-are-not-even/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [I do not wish you to act from these truths; no, still and always act from your feelings; only meditate often on these truths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/i-do-not-wish-you-to-act-from-these-truths-no-still-and-always-act/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [A poet ought not to pick nature's pocket. Let him borrow, and so borrow as to repay by the very act of borrowing. Examine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/a-poet-ought-not-to-pick-nature-s-pocket-let-him-borrow-and-so-borrow/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [With no other privilege than that of sympathy and sincere good wishes, I would address an affectionate exhortation to the youthful literati, grounded on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/with-no-other-privilege-than-that-of-sympathy-and-sincere-good-wishes/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Ignorance seldom vaults into knowledge...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/ignorance-seldom-vaults-into-knowledge/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee, Whether the summer clothe the general earth With greenness, or the redbreast sit and sing Betwixt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/therefore-all-seasons-shall-be-sweet-to-thee-whether-the-summer/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Why are not more gems from our great authors scattered over the country? Great books are not in everybody's reach; and though it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/why-are-not-more-gems-from-our-great-authors-scattered-over-the/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Life went a-maying With Nature, Hope, and Poesy, When I was young!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/life-went-a-maying-with-nature-hope-and-poesy-when-i-was-young/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [No voice; but oh - the silence sank Like music on my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/no-voice-but-oh-the-silence-sank-like-music-on-my-heart/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [The three great ends which a statesman ought to propose to himself in the government of a nation, are 1. Security to possessors; 2.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/the-three-great-ends-which-a-statesman-ought-to-propose-to-himself-in/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [“We in ourselves rejoice! And thence flows all that charms or ear or sight, All melodies the echoes of that voice, All colours a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/we-in-ourselves-rejoice-and-thence-flows-all-that-charms-or-ear-or/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) [Explore all 570 Samuel Taylor Coleridge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) ## More Christianity quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [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/) > [“God hates Hell. 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Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) [Browse all 14,385 Christianity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a life and a living process.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Taylor Coleridge" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculation-but-a-life-not-a-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christianity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculation-but-a-life-not-a-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_christianity_christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculat_1486168.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_christianity_christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculat_1486168.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_christianity_christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculat_1486168.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a life and a living…” — Samuel Taylor Coleridge", "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": "Samuel Taylor Coleridge", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Christianity is not a theory or...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculation-but-a-life-not-a-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/christianity-is-not-a-theory-or-speculation-but-a-life-not-a-2/#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 } } ] } ```