--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The point is that the resurrection, if it…" description: "\"“The point is that the resurrection, if it had occurred, would undermine not only the Enlightenment’s vision of a split world but also the Enlightenmen..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/n-t-wright-1173_history_the-point-is-that-the-resurrection-if-it_2724809.png" --- # The point is that the resurrection, if it had occurred… ![“The point is that the resurrection, if it had occurred, would undermine not only the Enlightenment’s vision of a split world but also the Enlightenment’s self-congratulatory dream of world history reaching its destiny in our own day and our own systems.” quote by N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/n-t-wright-1173_history_the-point-is-that-the-resurrection-if-it_2724809.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/n-t-wright-1173_history_the-point-is-that-the-resurrection-if-it_2724809.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/n-t-wright-1173_history_the-point-is-that-the-resurrection-if-it_2724809.png) > ““The point is that the resurrection, if it had occurred, would undermine not only the Enlightenment’s vision of a split world but also the Enlightenment’s self-congratulatory dream of world history reaching its destiny in our own day and our own systems.”” [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that a hypothetical resurrection would challenge Enlightenment ideals of linear progress and world history narratives. **In simple terms:** Resurrection would undermine Enlightenment progress view. Key Takeaway Question assumptions about historical destiny. Themes theology history philosophy Mood speculative critical Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - academic debate - religious studies - philosophical essays Key Concepts Enlightenment linear progress metanarratives Questions to Reflect On - How would a resurrection reshape modern thought? - What limits Enlightenment narratives? A Different Perspective Historical narratives are resilient to single events. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enlightenment Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment-vision-2908970/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Point Resurrection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-resurrection-2908969/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Resurrection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resurrection/) [Resurrection Occurred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resurrection-occurred-1308124/) [Undermine Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/undermine-enlightenment-2908971/) [World history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-history/) ## Related quotes > [If the Resurrection had not occurred, why would the apostle Paul give such a list of supposed eyewitnesses? He would immediately lose all credibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-geisler/if-the-resurrection-had-not-occurred-why-would-the-apostle-paul-give/) [Norman Geisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-geisler/) > [The point is not that the resurrection is the price paid for our sins. The point point is that the resurrection proves the death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-point-is-not-that-the-resurrection-is-the-price-paid-for-our-sins/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Total Enlightenment is 'Vision without Purpose'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-victor-paskavich/total-enlightenment-is-vision-without-purpose/) [Stanley Victor Paskavich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-victor-paskavich/) > [“The resurrection isn’t just a surprise happy ending for one person; it is instead the turning point for everything else. It is the point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/the-resurrection-isn-t-just-a-surprise-happy-ending-for-one-person-it/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Our task, as image-bearing, God-loving, Christ-shaped, Spirit-filled Christians, following Christ and shaping our world, is to announce redemption to the world that has discovered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/our-task-as-image-bearing-god-loving-christ-shaped-spirit-filled/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Do not despise the small but significant symbolic act. God probably does not want you to reorganize the entire discipline or the entire world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/do-not-despise-the-small-but-significant-symbolic-act-god-probably/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Conservatives have said that Jesus was bodily raised, while liberals have denied it, but neither group has seen the bodily resurrection as the launching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/conservatives-have-said-that-jesus-was-bodily-raised-while-liberals-2/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“What we say about death and resurrection gives shape and color to everything else. If we are not careful, we will offer merely a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/what-we-say-about-death-and-resurrection-gives-shape-and-color-to/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“The church's task in the world is to model genuine humanness as a sign and an invitation to those around.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/the-church-s-task-in-the-world-is-to-model-genuine-humanness-as-a/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Conservatives have said that Jesus was bodily raised, while liberals have denied it, but neither group has seen the bodily resurrection as the launching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/conservatives-have-said-that-jesus-was-bodily-raised-while-liberals/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Belief in the bodily resurrection includes the belief that what is done in the present in the body, by the power of the Spirit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/belief-in-the-bodily-resurrection-includes-the-belief-that-what-is/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Your calling may be to find new ways to tell the story of redemption, to create fresh symbols tat will speak of a home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/your-calling-may-be-to-find-new-ways-to-tell-the-story-of-redemption/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Death is the last weapon of the tyrant, and the point of the resurrection, despite much misunderstanding, is that death has been defeated. Resurrection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/death-is-the-last-weapon-of-the-tyrant-and-the-point-of-the/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“If we are talking about the victory over evil and the launch of new creation, it won’t make much sense unless we are working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/if-we-are-talking-about-the-victory-over-evil-and-the-launch-of-new/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“This means that the church, the followers of Jesus Christ, live in the bright interval between Easter and the final great consummation. Let's make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/this-means-that-the-church-the-followers-of-jesus-christ-live-in-the/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) ## More by N.T. Wright > [“This means that the church, the followers of Jesus Christ, live in the bright interval between Easter and the final great consummation. Let's make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/this-means-that-the-church-the-followers-of-jesus-christ-live-in-the/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“The very mention of crucifixion was taboo in polite Roman circles, since it was the lowest form of capital punishment, reserved for slaves and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/the-very-mention-of-crucifixion-was-taboo-in-polite-roman-circles/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Sunday, kept as a commemoration of Easter ever since that event itself (a quite remarkable phenomenon when you come to think about it), is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/sunday-kept-as-a-commemoration-of-easter-ever-since-that-event-itself/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“The point of trying to understand the cross better is not so that we can congratulate ourselves for having solved an intellectual crossword puzzle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/the-point-of-trying-to-understand-the-cross-better-is-not-so-that-we/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“there is no such thing as a god’s-eye view (by which would be meant a Deist god’s-eye view) available to human beings, a point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-god-s-eye-view-by-which-would-be-meant-a/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“The “goal” is not “heaven,” but a renewed human vocation within God’s renewed creation. This is what every biblical book from Genesis on is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/the-goal-is-not-heaven-but-a-renewed-human-vocation-within-god-s/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“having a hard enough time explaining to his disciples that he had to die; they never really grasped that at all, and they certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/having-a-hard-enough-time-explaining-to-his-disciples-that-he-had-to/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“If we are talking about the victory over evil and the launch of new creation, it won’t make much sense unless we are working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/if-we-are-talking-about-the-victory-over-evil-and-the-launch-of-new/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“The personal message of Good Friday, expressed in so many hymns and prayers which draw on the tradition of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/the-personal-message-of-good-friday-expressed-in-so-many-hymns-and/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“To recognize that the Psalms call us to pray and sing at the intersections of the times--of our time and God's time, of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/to-recognize-that-the-psalms-call-us-to-pray-and-sing-at-the/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Successful resistance to temptation may result in an increase of moral muscle, but that is because one is going to need it. A temptation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/successful-resistance-to-temptation-may-result-in-an-increase-of/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“Blessings on the poor in spirit! The kingdom of heaven is yours” (Matt. 5:3) doesn’t mean, “You will go to heaven when you die.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/blessings-on-the-poor-in-spirit-the-kingdom-of-heaven-is-yours-matt-5/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“As C. S. Lewis regularly remarked, the chronological snobbery of the modern age (i.e. the assumption that anything that comes after around 1750 is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/as-c-s-lewis-regularly-remarked-the-chronological-snobbery-of-the/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“The kingdom of God is, at its heart, about God’s sovereignty sweeping the world with love and power, so that human beings, each made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/the-kingdom-of-god-is-at-its-heart-about-god-s-sovereignty-sweeping/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [“pre-Christian Judaism, including the disciples during Jesus’s lifetime, never envisaged the death of the Messiah. That is why they never thought of his resurrection,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/pre-christian-judaism-including-the-disciples-during-jesus-s-lifetime/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) [Explore all 278 N.T. Wright quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) ## More History quotes > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/in-the-entire-history-of-the-universe-let-alone-in-your-own-history/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [The NBA is my history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-hardaway/the-nba-is-my-history/) [Penny Hardaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-hardaway/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [What is history after all? History is facts which become lies in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/what-is-history-after-all-history-is-facts-which-become-lies-in-the/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [Things live and die, and then someone processes them into edible portions. This is a complete telling of the story, 'Food.' The basic plot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-fahrenthold/things-live-and-die-and-then-someone-processes-them-into-edible/) [David Fahrenthold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-fahrenthold/) > [History is a certain way, but you just change the point of view a little bit, and you discover a whole new side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-schroeder/history-is-a-certain-way-but-you-just-change-the-point-of-view-a/) [Allison Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-schroeder/) > [We're at a point in history were we have to become a part of the neighborhood of inhabited planets, like a neighborhood of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/we-re-at-a-point-in-history-were-we-have-to-become-a-part-of-the/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [Today is a reality, tomorrow's a promise, and yesterday's history!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-blanks/today-is-a-reality-tomorrow-s-a-promise-and-yesterday-s-history/) [Billy Blanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-blanks/) > [Truth be told from compulsive liars with a history/Everything must change 2nd chances are a mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-dash/truth-be-told-from-compulsive-liars-with-a-history-everything-must/) [C-DASH](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-dash/) > [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/) [Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/) > [“To those great geniuses now in petticoats, who shall write novels for the beloved reader's children, these men and things will be as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/to-those-great-geniuses-now-in-petticoats-who-shall-write-novels-for/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) [Browse all 27,263 History quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The point is that the resurrection, if it had occurred, would undermine not only the Enlightenment’s vision of a split world but also the Enlightenment’s self-congratulatory dream of world history reaching its destiny in our own day and our own systems.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "N.T. 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