“About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they’re just one thing.”
- c. 1412 – May 30, 1431
- French
- Military leader, Martyr, Saint of the Roman Catholic Church
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Quote
“About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they’re just one thing.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Joan of Arc’s deep and unshakable unity of faith, in which Jesus Christ and the Church are inseparable. For her, there was no distinction between her devotion to Christ and her loyalty to the institution that claimed to represent Him. This statement underscores a medieval Catholic worldview, where the Church was seen as the earthly embodiment of divine authority, and obedience to it was synonymous with obedience to God.
However, the historical irony is profound. Joan was condemned and executed by an ecclesiastical court—the very Church she revered—for heresy and insubordination. Yet even under interrogation, she held fast to this belief, insisting that any apparent contradiction must be a misunderstanding rather than a flaw in the divine institution. Her assertion illustrates her unwavering trust in the spiritual integrity of the Church, despite being betrayed by its political mechanisms.
In modern terms, this quote challenges us to reflect on the relationship between faith and institutions. Many people today distinguish between personal spirituality and organized religion, often due to corruption or disillusionment. Joan’s view, though rooted in her time, poses the enduring question: Can faith be separated from the institutions that claim to uphold it? Her belief in unity—despite personal suffering—serves as both a testament to conviction and a caution about the complexities of institutional authority.
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