---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The circumstance that any man could…"
description: "\"The circumstance that any man could suppose that Matthew when he said, 'Jacob begat Joseph,' or Luke, when he said, 'Joseph was the son of Heli' could ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/william-rathbone-greg-84882_atheism_the-circumstance-that-any-man-could-supp_2096752.png"
---

#  The circumstance that any man could suppose that Matthew…

![“The circumstance that any man could suppose that Matthew when he said, 'Jacob begat Joseph,' or Luke, when he said, 'Joseph was the son of Heli' could refer to the wife of the one, or the daughter-in-law of the other, shows to what desperate stratagems polemical orthodoxy will resort in order to…” quote by William Rathbone Greg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/william-rathbone-greg-84882_atheism_the-circumstance-that-any-man-could-supp_2096752.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/william-rathbone-greg-84882_atheism_the-circumstance-that-any-man-could-supp_2096752.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/william-rathbone-greg-84882_atheism_the-circumstance-that-any-man-could-supp_2096752.png)

> “The circumstance that any man could suppose that Matthew when he said, 'Jacob begat Joseph,' or Luke, when he said, 'Joseph was the son of Heli' could refer to the wife of the one, or the daughter-in-law of the other, shows to what desperate stratagems polemical orthodoxy will resort in order to defend an untenable position.”

William Rathbone Greg

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Scholars may invent complex theories to protect fragile doctrines, even when evidence is weak.

**In simple terms:** People create elaborate arguments to defend shaky beliefs.

Key Takeaway

Question assumptions behind dogmatic claims.

Themes

faith interpretation skepticism

Mood

critical skeptical

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

- theological debate
- historical analysis
- academic discourse
- public policy
- media commentary

Key Concepts

exegesis dogma critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do we cling to uncomfortable beliefs?
- What evidence would change your view?

A Different Perspective

Such theories can become self‑defeating.

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