--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Christian faith is mysterious to the…" description: "\"The Christian faith is mysterious to the core. It is about things and beings that ultimately can't be put into words. Language fails. And if we do defi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/rob-bell-1025_christian_the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the_2090701.png" --- # The Christian faith is mysterious to the core. It is about… ![“The Christian faith is mysterious to the core. It is about things and beings that ultimately can't be put into words. Language fails. And if we do definitively put God into words, we have at that very moment made God something God is not.” quote by Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/rob-bell-1025_christian_the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the_2090701.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/rob-bell-1025_christian_the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the_2090701.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/rob-bell-1025_christian_the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the_2090701.png) > “The Christian faith is mysterious to the core. It is about things and beings that ultimately can't be put into words. Language fails. And if we do definitively put God into words, we have at that very moment made God something God is not.” [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The divine is beyond language; naming God limits the divine. **In simple terms:** God is indescribable. Key Takeaway Accept mystery over precise definitions. Themes faith mystery language limits Mood contemplative humble Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - prayer - theological discussion - personal reflection - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts theology ineffability spiritual humility Questions to Reflect On - Can faith exist without language? - How do we honor mystery? A Different Perspective Attempting precise definitions can lead to misunderstanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-faith/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Mysterious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysterious/) ## Related quotes > [It is a mysterious thing, the loss of faith-as mysterious as faith itself. Like faith, it is ultimately not rooted in logic; it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/it-is-a-mysterious-thing-the-loss-of-faith-as-mysterious-as-faith-2/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [It is a mysterious thing, the loss of faith—as mysterious as faith itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/it-is-a-mysterious-thing-the-loss-of-faith-as-mysterious-as-faith/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [The vibrant, real historic Christian faith is very wide and leaves lots and lots of room for varying perspectives. It's very diverse and wide,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/the-vibrant-real-historic-christian-faith-is-very-wide-and-leaves/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [“Think about some of the words that are used in these kinds of discussions, one of the most common being the phrase “open-minded.” Often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/think-about-some-of-the-words-that-are-used-in-these-kinds-of/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [Well, I affirm orthodox Christian faith. I affirm the Nicene Creed. I don't think I'm doing anything terribly new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/well-i-affirm-orthodox-christian-faith-i-affirm-the-nicene-creed-i/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [Times change. God doesn’t, but times do. We learn and grow, and the world around us shifts, and the Christian faith is alive only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/times-change-god-doesn-t-but-times-do-we-learn-and-grow-and-the-world/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [The historical orthodox Christian faith is extremely wide and diverse,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/the-historical-orthodox-christian-faith-is-extremely-wide-and-diverse/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [Even in the life of a Christian, faith rises and falls like the tides of an invisible sea. It's there, even when he can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/even-in-the-life-of-a-christian-faith-rises-and-falls-like-the-tides/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [God is bigger than the Christian faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/god-is-bigger-than-the-christian-faith/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [No matter what identity we cling to, it takes great courage to step out of the old masks we wear and the old scripts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/no-matter-what-identity-we-cling-to-it-takes-great-courage-to-step/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [“At times, he didn't understand the meaning of the Koran's words. But he said he liked the enhancing sounds the Arabic words made as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/at-times-he-didn-t-understand-the-meaning-of-the-koran-s-words-but-he/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [Kisses were created by God, for when words are not neccessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/kisses-were-created-by-god-for-when-words-are-not-neccessary/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You tell others about Me - that I am a loving God. Your words are glib. My words are written in the blood of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/you-tell-others-about-me-that-i-am-a-loving-god-your-words-are-glib/) [Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/) > [“Burn God's words into your heart, His thoughts into your mind and His ways into your actions; and you'll have a Spirit-filled life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alisa-hope-wagner/burn-god-s-words-into-your-heart-his-thoughts-into-your-mind-and-his/) [alisa hope wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alisa-hope-wagner/) > [“And the baby?" The words are anguished, breathless. "The baby's fine, Mr. Grey." "Oh, thank God." The words are litany... a prayer, "Oh, thank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/and-the-baby-the-words-are-anguished-breathless-the-baby-s-fine-mr/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) ## More by Rob Bell > [If the gospel isn't good news for everybody, then it isn't good news for anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/if-the-gospel-isn-t-good-news-for-everybody-then-it-isn-t-good-news/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn’t as bright as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/why-blame-the-dark-for-being-dark-it-is-far-more-helpful-to-ask-why/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [“This story... blasts to pieces our biases and labels with a declaration that God is on everyone's side, extending grace and compassion to everyone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/this-story-blasts-to-pieces-our-biases-and-labels-with-a-declaration/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [One truth is that suffering raises profound questions with the universe. The other truth is that grace, gift and generosity also raise profound questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/one-truth-is-that-suffering-raises-profound-questions-with-the/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [For Jesus, heaven and hell were present realities. Ways of living we can enter into here and now. He talked very little of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/for-jesus-heaven-and-hell-were-present-realities-ways-of-living-we/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [Love is what God is, love is why Jesus came, and love is why he continues to come, year after year to person after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/love-is-what-god-is-love-is-why-jesus-came-and-love-is-why-he/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [I believe that God is love. I believe that Jesus came to show us this love, to give us this love, to teach us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/i-believe-that-god-is-love-i-believe-that-jesus-came-to-show-us-this/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [If the gospel isn't good news for everybody, then it isn't good news for anybody. And this is because the most powerful things happen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/if-the-gospel-isn-t-good-news-for-everybody-then-it-isn-t-good-news-2/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [“I don’t read the Bible like a flat line. I don’t see all of the passages in the Bible sitting equally side by side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/i-don-t-read-the-bible-like-a-flat-line-i-don-t-see-all-of-the/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [To elevate abstract doctrines and dogmas over living, breathing, embodied experiences of God's love and grace, then, is going the wrong direction. It's taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/to-elevate-abstract-doctrines-and-dogmas-over-living-breathing/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [The modern world has created airports and hospitals and put 10,000 songs in our pocket. It has built gleaming buildings and computers and advances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/the-modern-world-has-created-airports-and-hospitals-and-put-10-000/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [God is bigger than the Christian faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/god-is-bigger-than-the-christian-faith/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [What you believe about the future shapes, informs, and determines how you live now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/what-you-believe-about-the-future-shapes-informs-and-determines-how/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [The life you want begins by embracing the life you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/the-life-you-want-begins-by-embracing-the-life-you-have/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [It takes quite a spine to turn the other cheek. It takes phenomenal fortitude to love your enemy. It takes firm resolve to pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/it-takes-quite-a-spine-to-turn-the-other-cheek-it-takes-phenomenal/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) [Explore all 305 Rob Bell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) ## More Christian quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/) > [Always have the fear of God in your heart, and remember that God is always with you, everywhere, whether you are walking or sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennadius-of-constantinople/always-have-the-fear-of-god-in-your-heart-and-remember-that-god-is/) [Gennadius of Constantinople](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennadius-of-constantinople/) > [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/) [Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/poor-david-hume-is-dying-fast-but-with-more-real-cheerfulness-and/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Christian faith is mysterious to the core. It is about things and beings that ultimately can't be put into words. Language fails. And if we do definitively put God into words, we have at that very moment made God something God is not.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rob Bell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the-core-it-is-about-things-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the-core-it-is-about-things-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/rob-bell-1025_christian_the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the_2090701.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/rob-bell-1025_christian_the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the_2090701.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/rob-bell-1025_christian_the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the_2090701.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Christian faith is mysterious to the core. It is about things and beings that ultimately can't be put…” — Rob Bell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rob Bell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Christian faith is mysterious to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the-core-it-is-about-things-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/the-christian-faith-is-mysterious-to-the-core-it-is-about-things-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```