Appeals Quote by Rob Bell
“What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father named Larry, and archeologists find Larry's tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was just a bit of mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of the Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births? Could you still be a Christian? Is the way of Jesus still the best possible way to live?”
About This Quote
The quote challenges faith by imagining evidence that contradicts core Christian claims, asking whether belief can survive such proof and if Jesus’ teachings remain valuable.
In simple terms: It questions if Christianity can persist if Jesus’ virgin birth is disproven.
Key Takeaway
Consider the core values versus literal doctrines.
Themes
faith
belief
religion
myth
identity
Mood
conflicted
curious
reflective
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- academic debate
- interfaith dialogue
- teaching
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
theology
historicity
psychology
culture
Questions to Reflect On
- How would you redefine belief if core narratives were disproven?
- What aspects of Jesus’ teachings are independent of miraculous claims?
A Different Perspective
Faith may adapt, but loss of foundational myths can destabilize identity.
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