# Liberalism explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

The chapter critiques those who selectively embrace the Gospel's teachings of peace and mercy while ignoring its demands for zeal, sanctity, and the profound depths of grace, accusing them of halving the truth and falling into the ancient foe's trap.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sin and Redemption

The chapter condemns the sin of halving the Gospel, rejecting the full call to repentance and sanctity, and implies the need for complete redemption.

### The Church and Tradition

Critiques those who selectively adopt Christian teachings while discarding core doctrines, threatening the integrity of the Church's tradition.

## Character check-ins

### Jehu

Referenced as the one who destroyed Baal but continued in the sins of Jeroboam, illustrating incomplete devotion.

### Jeroboam

Mentioned as the source of sins that Jehu did not depart from, symbolizing persistent idolatry.

## Key lines

> Ye cannot halve the Gospel of God's grace; Men of presumptuous heart! I know you well.

You cannot pick and choose parts of the Gospel; I recognize your arrogant hearts.

_The poet directly addresses those who selectively accept Christian teachings._

> And so ye halve the Truth; for ye in heart, At best, are doubters whether it be true, The theme discarding, as unmeet for you, Statesmen or Sages.

Thus you divide the Truth; at heart you are doubters, dismissing its deeper themes as unsuitable for politicians or intellectuals.

_Accuses liberals of treating the Gospel as irrelevant to their worldly roles._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/lxxxiii-liberalism
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters