Austin Farrer Quotes

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Reason is the art of the possible, faith is the passion for the true."

This quote by Austin Farrer suggests that reason is about finding solutions or conclusions based on what is practical or achievable within the constraints of our current knowledge and understanding (the "art of the possible"). Faith, however, goes beyond the realm of the practical; it represents a deep emotional commitment to the pursuit of truth and an unwavering belief in something that may not be immediately evident or provable ("the passion for the true"). In essence, Farrer is implying that while reason helps us navigate our daily lives, faith motivates us to strive for deeper, often more elusive, truths.

"Faith involves not thinking what we do not think, but doing what we cannot do."

Austin Farrer's quote underscores the distinction between intellectual assent (thinking) and active commitment (doing). In essence, he suggests that faith transcends mere understanding or belief; it entails actions that are beyond our human capabilities without trust in a higher power. This quote emphasizes the importance of putting faith into practice, even when it may seem impossible or irrational from a purely logical perspective.

"The Christian life is a series of adventures in which Christ constantly invites us to go out into deep water where everything is uncertain and we have to trust him entirely."

This quote by Austin Farrer emphasizes that the Christian journey is one filled with unpredictable, challenging experiences that require profound faith and trust in God (represented by Christ). It's a life of adventures where followers are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, face uncertainty, and rely entirely on their faith as they navigate through deep waters symbolizing life's complexities. This journey is not about having all the answers or certainty, but rather about embracing trust and leaning on divine guidance as we explore the unknowns and mysteries of life.

"If God were not love, man could not be good."

This quote by Austin Farrer suggests a profound interconnectedness between God's nature as love and humanity's capacity for goodness. It implies that the inherent goodness in humans is a reflection of an inherently loving God. In other words, it posits that our moral compass and our ability to act with kindness, compassion, and love stems from the same divine source. If God were not love, man (humans) would not have the potential to be good, as our goodness could not be independently sourced or self-generated. Instead, we are shaped by the love that emanates from the divine, enabling us to act with kindness and embody goodness in our actions.

"Miracles are the only facts we can never explain away, because if they could be explained naturally, they would not be miraculous."

This quote by Austin Farrer suggests that miracles, by definition, cannot have a natural or scientific explanation, as they transcend the known laws of nature. If we can provide a rational or scientific reason for a phenomenon, it is no longer considered a miracle because it becomes explainable within our current understanding of reality. However, when something happens that defies all known explanations, it remains a mystery and potentially a miracle. The statement implies that miracles serve as a reminder of the existence of phenomena beyond our human comprehension or knowledge.