Theodore ParkerТеодор Паркер

Our popular theology is mainly based on the superficial and transient element. It stands by the forbearance of the sceptic. They who rely on it, are always in danger and always in dread.

… and wakens the thunder of the churches; the more reasonable the doubt the greater the alarm.

Do men fear lest the mountains fall : Tradition is always uncertain. " Perhaps yes, perhaps no," is all we can say of it. Yet it is made the basis of Religion. Authority is taken for Truth, and not Truth for Authority.

Belief is made the Substance of Religion, as Authority its Sanction and Tradition its Ground.

A doubt strongly put, shakes the pulpits of New England, and wakens the thunder of the church. Do men fear lest the …

Наше церковное христианство построено на пустых и шатких основаниях.

Разве люди боятся, чтобы горы провалились? Церковное же предание ежеминутно готово разрушиться.

There are many ways in which Christ may be denied:--one is that of the bold blasphemer, who, out of a base and haughty heart mocks, scoffing at that manly man, and spits upon the nobleness of Christ!

Religion is so dear to men, no scoffing word can silence that, and the brave soul of this young Nazarene has made itself so deeply felt that scorn and mockery of him are but an icicle held up against the summer's sun.

There is another way to deny him, and that is:--to call him Lord, and never do his bidding; to stifle free minds with his words; and with the authority of his name to cloak, to mantle, screen and consecrate the follies, errors, sins of men! From this we have much to fear.

Можно разными способами отрицать Христа: во-первых, можно грубо кощунствовать, издеваться над величием, — но такой способ не опасен: религия слишком дорога людям, чтобы чьи-либо насмешки могли отнять ее у них.

Christianity is a simple thing; very simple.

All this is very simple; a little child can understand it; very beautiful, the loftest mind can find nothing so lovely.

Christianity is a simple thing, very simple. It is absolute, pure morality; absolute, pure religion; the love of man; the love of God acting without let or hindrance.

Its watchword is, Be perfect as your Father in heaven. The only form it demands is a divine life; doing the best thing in the best way, from the highest motives; perfect obedience to the great law of God.

All this is very simple—a little child can understand it; very beautiful—the loftiest mind can find nothing so lovely.

From the time of Jesus to our own time this progress, both in individuals and in nations, has been more rapid.

Every great genius for religion will add new facts to the world’s experience of religion, just as much since the death of Jesus as before his time.

From the time of Moses to Jesus there was a large intellectual and religious development of mankind, a marked progress in the religious sentiments, ideas, and actions of individual men, and of the leading nations of mankind.

From the time of Jesus to our time this progi'ess, both in individuals and in nations, has been yet more rapid. Old errors have been cast away, new truths have been added to the consciousness of mankind.

No man is so great as mankind. If the great genius at first is so far before his brothers as to be incomprehensible, by and by they overtake him, pass by him, and go still farther …

… on till they become incomprehensible to the man who stands where the genius once stood.

Всякий великий религиозный гений все больше и больше уясняет религиозные истины и содействует этим все большему и большему единению людей.

O, young man, now in the period of the passions, reverence your Conscience.

Ask always, “Is it right for me?” Be brave and self-denying for conscience’ sake. Fear not to differ from men; keeping your modesty, keep your integrity also. * * *

Oh, young man, now in the period of the passions, reverence your Conscience. Defer that to no appetite, to no passion, to no foolish compliance with other men's ways, to no ungodly custom, even if become a law.

Ask always " Is it right for me ? " Be brave and self-denying for conscience' sake. Fear not to differ from men ; keeping your modesty, keep your integrity also.

Death is always a blessing to him who dies : the man ceases to be mortal.

Are we not foolish in talking about preparing to die ? Our business is to live.

I want to live ; for the soul never tells you or me that we shall die. The senses die ; and so death is an affair of the senses, — too sensual a matter for wise men to concern themselves much about.

Death is one step in our progress.

Death is one step in our progress ; birth was a step once. But birth was a death to one form of being, and death is a birth into another form of being.

The " sentiments " and apothegms scattered up and down the pages of the Journal and Common-Place Book disclose the earnestness of his mind …

Religion is the highest form of love.

He is the greatest person of the ages; the proudest achievement of the human race. He taught the absolute religion, love to God and man. That God has yet greater men in store I doubt not; to say this is not to detract from the majestic character of Christ, but to affirm the omnipotence of God. When they come, the old contest will be renewed, the living prophet stoned; the dead one worshipped. Be that as it may, there are duties he teaches us far different from those most commonly taught.

Had he conformed to what was told him of men; had he counselled only with flesh and blood; he had been nothing but a poor Jew--the world had lost that rich endowment of religious genius, that richest treasure of religious life, the glad tidings of the one religion, absolute and true. What if he had said, as others, "None can be greater than Moses, none so great?" He had been a dwarf; the spirit of God had faded from his soul! But he conferred with God, not men; took counsel of his hopes, not his fears.

Working for men, with men, by men, trusting in God, and pure as truth, he was not scared at the little din of church or state, and trembled not, though Pilate and Herod were made friends only to crucify him that was a born King of the world. Methinks I hear that lofty spirit say to you or me, poor brother, fear not, nor despair. The goodness actual in me is possible for all. God is near thee now as then to me; rich as ever in truth, as able to create, as willing to inspire.