English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

"It's not that Christianity hasn't worked. It's just that nobody has tried it yet."

Remember he was deeply spiritual and Christian. I think he died around 1930.

2007-10-25 12:53:46 · 10 answers · asked by Acorn 7 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

10 answers

What G.K. Chesterton actually said was, "the problem with Christianity is not that it has been tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult and left untried"

Which means it is extremely difficult to be a follower of, and commit your life to, Christ. You have to give up a lot of what society says you need.

2007-10-25 13:05:09 · answer #1 · answered by D2T 3 · 2 1

His context was that all of the modern philosophies - both rationalist and romantic - were first and foremost rejections of Christianity. They claimed that Christianity had tried and failed and was thus proven false. Chesterton's argument was if you look at what the Church actually *teaches* vs what it's actually done, it really hasn't been tried. All of the attempts at Christianity have fallen short, but that doesn't discredit the teachings of the Church. He's saying instead of simply rejecting Christianity and trying to come up with something new, maybe we should try and get Christianity right before we write it off.

Peace to you.

2007-10-25 20:03:16 · answer #2 · answered by Orpheus Rising 5 · 2 0

It means just what it says, many who claim to be Christians are not really living a Christian lifestyle as outlined by Christ Himself. Remember when Jesus said at Judgment Day there will be gnashing of teeth by many who convinced themselves that they were Christians but will not be viewed that way by God.

2007-10-26 04:10:17 · answer #3 · answered by Michael B - Prop. 8 Repealed! 7 · 1 1

Many people practice forms of Christianity, using parts of verses to justify that form. A Christian is not in a church it is in the heart. Remember "my church is not made of wood and stone but is in you and around you." That is the most truthful thing I have had about God, he is within you.

2007-10-25 22:25:23 · answer #4 · answered by Coop 366 7 · 0 2

I believe what he meant was that the version of "Christianity" that existed then was not what he felt true Christianity should be.

2007-10-25 20:00:13 · answer #5 · answered by mommanuke 7 · 1 0

The challenge of his quote is that Christianity is difficult…and as a result, it is left largely untried. It is difficult to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength…and to love your neighbor as yourself.


Good question. God bless...

2007-10-25 20:04:37 · answer #6 · answered by The Raven † 5 · 4 0

Yes, much like a quote made by Gandhi, to the effect that he admired Jesus Christ, but could not similarly admire "Christians." Due to many experiences, my feelings exactly. With a few exceptions.

2007-10-25 20:12:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 3

the dude knew that Christian love is an ideal, one that no human can ever fully acheive, but that we still have to strive for. He meant it in a humorous vein.

2007-10-25 19:57:55 · answer #8 · answered by Shep H 2 · 4 1

I think it's as pompous a statement as ghandi who said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.

2007-10-25 20:04:31 · answer #9 · answered by lookn2cjc 6 · 0 2

I think he was mistaken.

2007-10-25 20:03:42 · answer #10 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0 1

fedest.com, questions and answers