--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the resurrection of Jesus cannot be…" description: "\"If the resurrection of Jesus cannot be believed except by assenting to the fantastic descriptions included in the Gospels, then Christianity is doomed...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18a/john-shelby-spong-1488_atheism_if-the-resurrection-of-jesus-cannot-be-b_658917.png" --- # If the resurrection of Jesus cannot be believed except by… ![“If the resurrection of Jesus cannot be believed except by assenting to the fantastic descriptions included in the Gospels, then Christianity is doomed. For that view of resurrection is not believable, and if that is all there is, then Christianity, which depends upon the truth and authenticity of…” quote by John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18a/john-shelby-spong-1488_atheism_if-the-resurrection-of-jesus-cannot-be-b_658917.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18a/john-shelby-spong-1488_atheism_if-the-resurrection-of-jesus-cannot-be-b_658917.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18a/john-shelby-spong-1488_atheism_if-the-resurrection-of-jesus-cannot-be-b_658917.png) > “If the resurrection of Jesus cannot be believed except by assenting to the fantastic descriptions included in the Gospels, then Christianity is doomed. For that view of resurrection is not believable, and if that is all there is, then Christianity, which depends upon the truth and authenticity of Jesus' resurrection, also is not believable.” [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If resurrection is only credible via miraculous Gospel accounts, Christianity fails; its core truth is questioned. **In simple terms:** Resurrection belief hinges on miracles; Key Takeaway Reevaluate faith foundations. Themes faith theology miracles belief skepticism Mood thoughtful critical inquisitive Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - church doctrine debates - personal faith crises - academic theology - interfaith dialogues Key Concepts existential doubt religious authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What evidence supports a non‑literal resurrection? - How does metaphorical belief affect practice? A Different Perspective Some view resurrection metaphorically, not literally. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Authenticity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authenticity/) [Believable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believable/) [Believable Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believable-christianity-5254293/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Depends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depends/) [Description](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/description/) [Doomed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doomed/) [Fantastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantastic/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Jesus resurrection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus-resurrection/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Resurrection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resurrection/) [Resurrection Believable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resurrection-believable-5254292/) [Resurrection Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resurrection-jesus-446181/) [Resurrection Of Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resurrection-of-jesus/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) ## Related quotes > [The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity. If the resurrection did not take place, then Christianity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-m-morris/the-bodily-resurrection-of-jesus-christ-from-the-dead-is-the-crowning/) [Henry M. Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-m-morris/) > [The Resurrection of Jesus is...a symbol of hope...I don't see how you can show love...without being in solidarity with the victims of this world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-sobrino/the-resurrection-of-jesus-is-a-symbol-of-hope-i-don-t-see-how-you-can/) [Jon Sobrino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-sobrino/) > [I believe in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-believe-in-the-redemptive-death-and-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The resurrection of Jesus was like a boulder crashing into the pool of history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/the-resurrection-of-jesus-was-like-a-boulder-crashing-into-the-pool/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [The evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is more powerful than anything else we believe. 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So long as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/even-if-the-disciples-had-believed-in-the-resurrection-of-jesus-it-is/) [William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/) > [Without Pentecost the Christ-event - the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus - remains imprisoned in history as something to remember, think about and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/without-pentecost-the-christ-event-the-life-death-and-resurrection-of/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Certainly Paul shares the view of the Old Testament prophets that God will one day flood the world with justice and joy - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright-2/certainly-paul-shares-the-view-of-the-old-testament-prophets-that-god/) [N. T. 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Does it build up or does it tear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shelby-spong/my-basis-of-morality-is-this-does-this-action-enhance-life-or-does-it/) [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) > [I want the traditional family upheld, but I don't want it upheld to the detriment of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shelby-spong/i-want-the-traditional-family-upheld-but-i-don-t-want-it-upheld-to/) [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) > [We live in a very pluralistic society today. There are Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, atheists, Roman Catholics, Evangelical Christians, and Christians like me. 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