Christian life Quote by Philip Jenkins
““Indeed, someone from the Anabaptist tradition might argue that minority status and persecution are the natural and predictable outcome of attempting to live a Christian life, and it is the communities that coexist comfortably with state power that have departed from the norm. What matters is not the size or numbers claimed by churches, but rather the quality of witness demonstrated by Christians in their particular circumstances. Of course, Christians were persecuted in seventeenth-century Japan, and in many other places before and since. And just as evidently, Christians have often experienced the status of being persecuted minorities, or, commonly, persecuted majorities, sometimes in societies they had once dominated. Why should any historically informed observer expect matters to be different? As the letter to the Hebrews declares, here, we have no abiding city.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Lost History of Christianity, Philip Jenkins, 2008
Christians often face persecution regardless of size; true witness is measured by quality, not numbers.
In simple terms: Quality of witness matters more than size.
Key Takeaway
Focus on authentic witness despite opposition.
Themes
persecution
minority
witness
faith
history
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
historical
When to use this quote
- missionary work
- church leadership
- interfaith dialogue
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
Christian theology
social dynamics
identity
power relations
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your community demonstrate quality of witness?
- What defines authentic Christian witness in hostile societies?
A Different Perspective
Even large, powerful churches can become persecuted minorities; context matters.
