"The crucifixion of Jesus in itself has nothing eschatological about it. Many men have been crucified throughout history. What matters is the meaning of his death. An observer sees in it only an insignificant or, strictly speaking, painful fact. For the historian, “it is hardly probable that Jesus was crucified as a messianic prophet, in the same way as other agitators.” For the non-believer, the crucifixion simply marks the end of an idealist. The bare facts are nothing; their true essence is their meaning. But meaning is always the object of revelation and election, which explains precisely why, while everyone agrees on the death of Jesus, there is absolute disagreement on its meaning, which constitutes its profound reality."