Arrested Quote by W. H. Auden
“Christ did not enchant men; He demanded that they believe in Him: except on one occasion, the Transfiguration. For a brief while, Peter, James, and John were permitted to see Him in His glory. For that brief while they had no need of faith. The vision vanished, and the memory of it did not prevent them from all forsaking Him when He was arrested, or Peter from denying that he had ever known Him.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Unknown Citizen" (reference) or Speech: Unknown, 1940s
The passage argues that even miraculous experiences cannot replace the need for faith, as believers abandoned belief once the vision ended.
In simple terms: Miracles don’t guarantee lasting belief; faith requires more than sight.
Key Takeaway
Faith must be nurtured beyond fleeting experiences.
Themes
faith
doubt
miracle
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- religious conversion
- personal crisis
- spiritual teaching
- community worship
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people cling to faith after doubt?
- What role do personal experiences play in belief?
A Different Perspective
The claim assumes all believers need visual proof, ignoring internal conviction.
