“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried” – G. K. Chesterton
Another classically awesome Chesterton quote.
There is a sense that Christianity is only old hat. It’s been around for so long and so many people, cultures, and even civilizations have tried it. Yet, despite such endlessly common efforts, they seemed to have still fallen short. They didn’t produce the missing link, the holy grail, or that secret to life that makes sense of this mysterious existence. Christianity is just a worn out pair of shoes, used when useful and in the end “found wanting.” That’s the common perception anyway. But it’s wrong.
The truth is that the Christian life has largely “been found difficult and left untried.” And because of that we’ve never actually experienced the fullness of the Christian ideal.
There are some who have actually overcome the difficulties, given it a fair try and did not find it wanting at all. They’re called Saints. So before we go writing off Christianity as more of the same old hat, consider looking to the Saints and trying on a hat that you perhaps have never fully tried.
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This a brief but straight to the point blog!
Great job! Love the quote:-)
I am currently reading Chesterton’s Biography of Saint Thomas Aquinas (again) Chesterton’s gift was to cut to the chase (or in some instances the quick) and passing on a matter-of-fact confidence to all of us who believe. I think there used to be a show on EWTN about Chesterton called “The Apostle of Common Sense”, that just about sums up Chesterton’s work. As always, Mr. Warner, your thought provoking blog has me thankful to be Catholic. Peace.
With many young Catholics starting to embrace new ways of evangelizing, I am hoping that Christianity will begin to excite people the way it did in the past. With groups like Grassroots films that make gorgeous, believable, and exciting testaments to the Church and the growth of Catholic media in general, I think that a new dawn in Catholicism is not that far off.
Great quote, very inspiring. Chesterton usually is!
Totally agree man! It is only a matter of time before this media revolution gets a hold of the fullness of the pure, beautiful Truth. It’s the ultimate subject matter. Will be amazing to watch it unfold and participate.
I love Chesterton. I backed into him via the Father Brown mysteries, and then discovered his introductions to Dickens, Orthodoxy, St. Thomas Aquinas, The Flying Inn, Chaucer, his Autobiography and so on. Even us non-Catholics can appreciate his faith, his wit and his intelligence. And his compassion.
That was an awesome quote. I rather like this hat, if I may say so.
I love this hat, too! And one of the things I love about it is continually finding that this hat I’ve chosen needs pulling down a bit further.
Every time I think I’ve got it on straight and looking nice, I find that I need to wrap my head in it even deeper. Every time I think I’ve “tried” it…I find that there is so much more to try. So much more to give of myself to God that I hadn’t seen before. I expect and look forward to that happening over and over again over the course of my life. It’s the great journey and the road to sainthood.
I find this quote both relevant and profound in a rather simplistic way––but have also just finished a two year debate with a Catholic friend of mine that left me very wanting. After two years he could give me no Biblical references for his faith, or even in defense of his faith. And it is not just him, it is many of my Catholic family members and friends. Most simply won’t talk about it. The list of unbiblical practices as well as the history of the Catholic church also leaves me with many questions, and wanting––well, more. More relevance, more answers, more consistency. I by no means am intending to be rude or disrespectful, but true Biblical Christianity and Catholicism do not appear to be the same thing. Few have sincerely tried the Christian faith, while many have tried religion and been left wanton. Most religions have some value to them––moral codes or ethical guidlines by which to live––but without a personal relationship with the principle giver––we are destined to be left yearning for more. Are we not? My allegiance is to no church, or religious hierarchy, nor is it in any religious rituals. My allegiance belongs only to the God of the Bible, and have found much peace there. Bottom line is, I don’t understand my Catholic friends.
How does a Catholic know for sure that Heaven will be his home when this life ends?
As a Bible believing Christian, I place my faith in what the Bible says, verses like: Titus 3:5, Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:36…
Jesse,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments and questions! First, let me apologize on behalf of the Catholics you’ve met who did not make sure you found the answers to your questions. Your questions are certainly understandable and I can see how not ever having them answered would lead you to doubt the Catholic Church even more.
Second, let me assure you that absolutely nothing the Catholic Church teaches contradicts the Bible when interpreted properly. I’m sure you disagree with that! But I hope you’ll at least hear the Church out and listen with an open mind to the possibility that such a thing just may be entirely true.
Third, I encourage you to check out some more of the posts on the blog here. We try and tackle a lot of the big issues and a good discussion usually follows in the comments. You may be able to get some of your questions answered that way. Then we can go from there!
To begin, I suggest you check out this post here: Why do Catholics believe in things not in the bible?
I would love to know what you think! God bless!
That is one of my favorite quotes of all time. I wonder though, whether Christianity is left untried because it is difficult or if it’s just that people lack role models and/or imagination. Or maybe it is that materialism, ego, and preaching obscure the love that is Christianity. It seems to me that most people don’t know what Christianity is.
As a middle-age, Catholic male who is struggling with Church leadership (and its always about leadership) I found that the answers to those of us who long to seek insight on the “wanting side of Catholicism” is so often lost in the diluted, situational and wish-washy Theology that has become the Catholic Church in America. There is almost a sense of fear amongst priests of offending the congregation. I guess they feel that people can’t handle the truth. My Dad always asked, “Was Jesus afraid of offending anyone?” Not likely as he knows, and is, the one Truth.
I’ve actively played the role of diligent steward (time, talent and treaure) and found that he Church has become a competition of personal agenda between laity and the ordained. These agendas are divisive and quite frankly immoral and duplicitous.
I would much prefer that there be a return to traditional, simple values and avoid that which is preached from pulipts and discoursed on in th Philadelphia area: the most ho-hum homiletics that I have ever experienced in the “AMERICAN” catholic Church.
I fear that the “American Catholic Church of Accommodation” has lost its way and made the 10 Commandments mere “suggestions” all in the name of, you guessed it, MONEY. I believe that the Catholic Church is “maintained” in America purely as a funding source for its wider mission. While I recognize that different cultures require different approaches and the importance of missions in this world, do you think the content of sermons in Third World Missions are presented as the same moronic pandering that goes on here in this country, or are they the simple wisdoms and insights that we all need to navigate the complex society in which we live?
Please, give it to us striaght and prune the tree. It will only come back stronger!!!!
Wisdom. I’ll take it ANYWHERE I can get it. I love Chesterton. Thanks!!