Atheism Quote by Albert Schweitzer
“There is nothing more negative than the result of the critical study of the life of Jesus. The Jesus of Nazareth who came forward publicly as the Messiah, who preached the Kingdom of God, who founded the Kingdom of Heaven upon earth, and died to give his work its final consecration, never had any existence. He is a figure designed by rationalism, endowed with life by liberalism, and clothed by modern theology in an historical garb.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Quest of the Historical Jesus by Albert Schweitzer, 1906
The quote argues that scholarly attempts to historicize Jesus reduce him to a construct of rationalism and liberalism, stripping away any genuine existence.
In simple terms: Critical study turns Jesus into a rational construct.
Key Takeaway
Question the assumptions behind historical reconstructions.
Themes
faith
history
philosophy
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- religious education
- public discourse
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
skepticism
constructivism
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does scholarly critique affect personal belief?
- Can faith coexist with historical criticism?
A Different Perspective
May overlook spiritual significance in favor of intellectual analysis.
![“The Jesus of Nazareth who came forward publicly as the Messiah...and died to give his work its final consecration never existed. ["Modern Christian Thought: The twentieth century, Volume 2" by James C. Livingston, Francis Schüssler Fiorenza, p.13]” quote by Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6cd/albert-schweitzer-701_christianity_the-jesus-of-nazareth-who-came-forward-p_2831244.jpg)
![“Richard [Carrier] takes the extremist position that Jesus of Nazareth never even existed, that there was no such person in history. This is a position that is so extreme that to call it marginal would be an understatement; it doesn't even appear on the map of contemporary New Testament scholarship.” quote by William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/79f/william-lane-craig-8716_carrier_richard-carrier-takes-the-extremist-posi_493423.jpg)
