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About this quote

What does it mean?
Theologians often ignore common sense when interpreting biblical texts.
In plain terms
Theologians ignore common sense in the Bible.
What can you take from it?
Avoid overthinking simple religious texts.

Where it applies

  • religious study
  • biblical interpretation
  • doctrine

Putting it to work

  • reading literally
  • seeking clarity

Questions to consider

  • Is faith rational?
  • How to read scripture?

Another view

It dismisses scholarly nuance as lack of common sense.

More from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

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  3. The late M. who had a Catholic maid, once told me entirely bona fide: This person is a Catholic, it is true, but she is an honest, good soul. Recently she comm…

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