Christ Quote by Gregory A. Boyd
“So these liberals say historical research can't possibly discover the Jesus of faith, because the Jesus of faith is not rooted in history. He's merely a symbol. But listen: Jesus is not a symbol of anything unless he's rooted in history. The Nicene Creed doesn't say, "We wish these things were true." It says, "Jesus Christ was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and the third day he rose again from the dead,' and it goes on from there.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Jesus of History and the Jesus of Faith, Gregory A. Boyd, 2005
The quote argues that historical evidence is essential for validating religious claims; faith without historical grounding becomes mere symbolism.
In simple terms: Faith needs history to be real, not just a symbol.
Key Takeaway
Ground belief in evidence, not abstraction.
Themes
faith
history
symbolism
theology
Mood
thoughtful
critical
inquisitive
Type
theological
philosophical
debate
When to use this quote
- church teaching
- academic debate
- personal belief
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
historicity
epistemology
religious doctrine
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile faith with uncertain history?
- Can symbolism hold meaning without factual basis?
A Different Perspective
Historical proof may be incomplete, leaving some aspects of faith unverified.
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
