Christianity Quote by John Dominic Crossan
“Jesus told parables. When he wanted to say something really profound about God, he went into parable. I don't find it surprising then that when earliest Christianity wanted to say something profound about Jesus, they went into parable too. That doesn't mean everything is a parable. When it says Jesus was in Nazareth I don't think that's a parable, I think Jesus was in Nazareth. When it talks about Jesus walking on the water, I don't think that's the point at all, I think the point is that the church without Jesus sinks.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Historical Jesus, 1994, Crossan's analysis of parables
Parables convey deeper truths; literal events may be symbolic.
In simple terms: Stories teach deeper meanings beyond facts.
Key Takeaway
Seek the underlying message, not just the story.
Themes
interpretation
symbolism
religion
history
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
explanatory
scholarly
When to use this quote
- theology
- education
- personal reflection
- community teaching
Key Concepts
biblical studies
mythology
spiritual insight
Questions to Reflect On
- What deeper truth does this story reveal?
- How do you differentiate symbol from fact?
A Different Perspective
Not all narratives are metaphorical; some are historical.
