This quote by Ernest Renan recommends that without an understanding of the function of Jesus Christ in history, it is impossible to understand the full scope of history. Renan was a French theorist and historian who believed that Jesus was a terrific ethical instructor which his teachings had an extensive effect on the world. He argued that Jesus' mentors of love, empathy, and forgiveness were essential to understanding the history of humankind. Renan believed that without an understanding of Jesus' teachings, it is difficult to comprehend the motivations and actions of people throughout history. He argued that Jesus' mentors were the foundation of morality which without them, history would be incomprehensible. Renan's quote suggests that without an understanding of Jesus' teachings, it is impossible to totally comprehend the history of mankind.
