man’s inability to understand zeal in religion

Few things show the corruption of human nature more clearly than man’s inability to understand zeal in religion. Zeal about money, or science, or war, or commerce, or business is intelligible to the world. But zeal about religion is too often reckoned foolishness, fanaticism, and the sign of a weak mind. If a man injures his health by study or excessive attention to business, no fault is found; it is said, “He is a diligent man.” But if he wears himself out with preaching or spends his whole time in doing good to souls, the cry is raised, “He is an enthusiast and overly righteous.” The world has not changed. The things of the Spirit are always foolishness to the natural man (1 Corinthians 2:14).

—J.C. Ryle