--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where did Christians get the reputation…" description: "\"“Where did Christians get the reputation as life-squelchers instead of life-enhancers? Jesus himself promised, \"I am come that they might have life, an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb6/philip-yancey-840_abundant-life_where-did-christians-get-the-reputation_1731388.png" --- # Where did Christians get the reputation as life-squelchers… ![“Where did Christians get the reputation as life-squelchers instead of life-enhancers? Jesus himself promised, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." What keeps us from realizing that abundant life?” quote by Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb6/philip-yancey-840_abundant-life_where-did-christians-get-the-reputation_1731388.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb6/philip-yancey-840_abundant-life_where-did-christians-get-the-reputation_1731388.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb6/philip-yancey-840_abundant-life_where-did-christians-get-the-reputation_1731388.png) > ““Where did Christians get the reputation as life-squelchers instead of life-enhancers? Jesus himself promised, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." What keeps us from realizing that abundant life?”” [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) ## 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 questions why Christianity is seen as limiting life when its teachings promise abundant, fulfilling existence, urging deeper understanding of that promise. **In simple terms:** It challenges the view that Christianity restricts life, highlighting its promise of abundance. Key Takeaway Explore the true meaning of abundant life. Themes faith theology spirituality abundance Mood inspirational thoughtful Type theological motivational When to use this quote - personal faith journey - church community - spiritual study - counseling Key Concepts interpretation religious perception life purpose Questions to Reflect On - What does “abundant life” mean to you? - How can faith inspire a fuller existence? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abundant life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abundant-life/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [Being spiritual does not mean to take away our natural life , its a way to experience life more abundantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/being-spiritual-does-not-mean-to-take-away-our-natural-life-its-a-way/) Senoraroy > [“It is the religious sense – a “radical engagement of the self with life” – that alone enables us to fulfil the promise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luigi-giussani/it-is-the-religious-sense-a-radical-engagement-of-the-self-with-life/) [Luigi Giussani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luigi-giussani/) > [All I ask is for you to honor my wishes...and, of course, live life abundantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seven-pounds/all-i-ask-is-for-you-to-honor-my-wishes-and-of-course-live-life/) Seven Pounds > [“If we constantly focus only on the stones in our mortal path, we will almost surely miss the beautiful flower or cool stream provided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/if-we-constantly-focus-only-on-the-stones-in-our-mortal-path-we-will/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [“Remember, Jesus came so that you might have “life and have it more abundantly.” Regardless of what you are going through, the truth is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-r-davis/remember-jesus-came-so-that-you-might-have-life-and-have-it-more/) [Lynn R. Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-r-davis/) > [“Instead, I remembered that in the Bible, Jesus promised his followers that they would be provided with everything they needed, everything they “needed,” but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-n-harris/instead-i-remembered-that-in-the-bible-jesus-promised-his-followers/) [José N. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-n-harris/) > [We think we should only go into a country if we can be sure of our return. Jesus never promised that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-van-der-bijl/we-think-we-should-only-go-into-a-country-if-we-can-be-sure-of-our/) Andrew van der Bijl > [Jesus promised his disciples three things—that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/jesus-promised-his-disciples-three-things-that-they-would-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In His manifesto, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit of God to us when He ascended into the Kingdom above. He fulfilled this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-his-manifesto-jesus-promised-to-send-the-holy-spirit-of-god-to-us/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“People do not expect to see signs and wonders today as the disciples saw them of old. Has God changed? Or has our faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-wigglesworth/people-do-not-expect-to-see-signs-and-wonders-today-as-the-disciples/) [Samuel Wigglesworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-wigglesworth/) > [“One of the most poisonous of all Satan’s whispers is simply, “Things will never change.” That lie kills expectation, trapping our heart forever in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-eldredge/one-of-the-most-poisonous-of-all-satan-s-whispers-is-simply-things/) [John Eldredge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-eldredge/) > [Jesus has not promised to build your ministry; he has promised to build his church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/jesus-has-not-promised-to-build-your-ministry-he-has-promised-to/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Give yourself and your worries to God, and begin enjoying the abundant life He has planned for you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-yourself-and-your-worries-to-god-and-begin-enjoying-the-abundant/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What constitutes misuse of the universe? This question can be answered in one word: greed…. Greed constitutes the most grievous wrong. LAURENTI MAGESA, African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-ryan/what-constitutes-misuse-of-the-universe-this-question-can-be-answered/) [Christopher Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-ryan/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) ## More by Philip Yancey > [“God reproduces and lives out His image in millions of ordinary people like us. It is a supreme mystery. We are called to bear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/god-reproduces-and-lives-out-his-image-in-millions-of-ordinary-people/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [Curiously, the righteous Pharisees had little historical impact, save for a brief time in a remote corner of the Roman Empire. But Jesus' disciples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/curiously-the-righteous-pharisees-had-little-historical-impact-save/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [Jesus never met a disease he could not cure, a birth defect he could not reverse, a demon he could not exorcise. But he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/jesus-never-met-a-disease-he-could-not-cure-a-birth-defect-he-could/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [Love deems this world worth rescuing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/love-deems-this-world-worth-rescuing/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [People instinctively know the difference between something done with a profit motive and something done with a love motive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/people-instinctively-know-the-difference-between-something-done-with/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [In a nutshell, the Bible from Genesis 3 to Revelation 22 tells the story of a God reckless with desire to get his family back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/in-a-nutshell-the-bible-from-genesis-3-to-revelation-22-tells-the/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [You can know the law by heart without knowing the heart of it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/you-can-know-the-law-by-heart-without-knowing-the-heart-of-it/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [“I have marveled at, and sometimes openly questioned, the self-restraint God has shown throughout history, allowing the Genghis Khans and the Hitlers and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/i-have-marveled-at-and-sometimes-openly-questioned-the-self-restraint/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [C. S. Lewis observed that almost all crimes of Christian history have come about when religion is confused with politics. Politics, which always runs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/c-s-lewis-observed-that-almost-all-crimes-of-christian-history-have/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [Having spent time around "sinners" and also around purported saints, I have a hunch why Jesus spent so much time with the former group:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/having-spent-time-around-sinners-and-also-around-purported-saints-i/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [We preach sermons, write books on apologetics, conduct city-wide evangelistic campaigns. For those alienated from the church, that approach no longer has the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/we-preach-sermons-write-books-on-apologetics-conduct-city-wide/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [I begin with confession not in order to feel miserable, rather to call to mind a reality I often ignore. When I acknowledge where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/i-begin-with-confession-not-in-order-to-feel-miserable-rather-to-call/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [Jesus reserved his hardest words for the hidden sins of hypocrisy, pride, greed and legalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/jesus-reserved-his-hardest-words-for-the-hidden-sins-of-hypocrisy/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [“What greater gift could Christians give to the world than the forming of a culture that upholds grace and forgiveness?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/what-greater-gift-could-christians-give-to-the-world-than-the-forming/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [“For us who are Christians, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof positive that love is stronger than hate, that life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/for-us-who-are-christians-the-death-and-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) [Explore all 351 Philip Yancey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) ## More Abundant life quotes > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Give yourself and your worries to God, and begin enjoying the abundant life He has planned for you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-yourself-and-your-worries-to-god-and-begin-enjoying-the-abundant/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What constitutes misuse of the universe? This question can be answered in one word: greed…. Greed constitutes the most grievous wrong. LAURENTI MAGESA, African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-ryan/what-constitutes-misuse-of-the-universe-this-question-can-be-answered/) [Christopher Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-ryan/) > [“Failure's Only R-E-A-L Second Chance Is Jesus! He offers another chance EVERY time you fall down and even empowers your getting back up as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-patton/failure-s-only-r-e-a-l-second-chance-is-jesus-he-offers-another/) [Gary Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-patton/) > [“stronghold is anything that exalts itself in our minds, “pretending” to be bigger or more powerful than our God. It steals much of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/stronghold-is-anything-that-exalts-itself-in-our-minds-pretending-to/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [“Alfred Hitchcock said movies are “life with the dull bits cut out.”5 Car chases and first kisses, interesting plot lines and good conversations. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tish-harrison-warren/alfred-hitchcock-said-movies-are-life-with-the-dull-bits-cut-out-5/) [Tish Harrison Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tish-harrison-warren/) > [Remember that I am just a woman who is living a very abundant life. Every step I take forward is on a path paved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/remember-that-i-am-just-a-woman-who-is-living-a-very-abundant-life/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [“Jesus offers us eternal life—not as a collection of facts or rules to follow or as a commodity. He invites us to enter into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-louis-metzger/jesus-offers-us-eternal-life-not-as-a-collection-of-facts-or-rules-to/) [Paul Louis Metzger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-louis-metzger/) > [“LIVING IN DEPENDENCE ON ME is the way to enjoy abundant life. You are learning to appreciate tough times, because they amplify your awareness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-young/living-in-dependence-on-me-is-the-way-to-enjoy-abundant-life-you-are/) [Sarah Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-young/) > [“The abundant life is a spiritual life. Too many sit at the banquet table of the gospel of Jesus Christ and merely nibble at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/the-abundant-life-is-a-spiritual-life-too-many-sit-at-the-banquet/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [If I could give you one key, and one key only to more abundant life, I would give you a sense of your own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-crosby/if-i-could-give-you-one-key-and-one-key-only-to-more-abundant-life-i/) Greta Crosby > [“We live in a culture of reductionism. Or better, we are living in the aftermath of a culture of reductionism, and I believe we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-keel/we-live-in-a-culture-of-reductionism-or-better-we-are-living-in-the/) [Tim Keel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-keel/) > [“I am ecstatic to be ALIVE!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-e-jackson/i-am-ecstatic-to-be-alive/) Sandra E. Jackson > [“President Thomas S. Monson has said: “God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon. He left the electricity in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-smith/president-thomas-s-monson-has-said-god-left-the-world-unfinished-for/) [Hank Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-smith/) > [“I am grateful for a joyful, glorious and abundant life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/i-am-grateful-for-a-joyful-glorious-and-abundant-life/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) [Browse all 82 Abundant life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abundant-life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Where did Christians get the reputation as life-squelchers instead of life-enhancers? 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