Luke Quote by N.T. Wright
““If Luke and John were simply constructing narratives to combat Doceticism, they surely shot themselves in the foot with both barrels when they spoke of Jesus appearing through locked doors, disappearing again, sometimes being recognized, sometimes not, and finally ascending into heaven””
About This Quote
Source Book: Paul and the Faithfulness of God by N.T. Wright, 2013
The argument suggests that early Christian narratives about Jesus’ mysterious appearances were crafted to counter heretical views, but they unintentionally undermined their own credibility.
In simple terms: Early stories meant to fight heresy may have damaged their own case.
Key Takeaway
Beware of over‑complicating narratives.
Themes
theology
hermeneutics
historical criticism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
theological
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- church teaching
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Doceticism
narrative strategy
apologetics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance doctrinal defense with narrative plausibility?
- Can complex myths still convey truth?
A Different Perspective
Such stories can be both persuasive and problematic.
![“One of the remarkable things about Luke’s history of the two criminals crucified with Jesus is that both of them asked for salvation. Have you ever noticed this? “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at [Jesus]: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’” This man met Jesus…” quote by James Montgomery Boice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/122/james-montgomery-boice-19227_face-to-face_one-of-the-remarkable-things-about-luke_3001964.jpg)
![“Luke 24: But at daybreak on the first day of the week [the women] took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in…” quote by Joseph B. Lumpkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/425/joseph-b-lumpkin-43391_lord-jesus_luke-24-but-at-daybreak-on-the-first-day_3085742.jpg)
![“On one of those days, as he [Jesus] was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and…” quote by Scotty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4d2/scotty-smith-1447_quote_on-one-of-those-days-as-he-jesus-was-tea_124826.jpg)
