Barren Quote by Anthony Burgess
“This truth may be handled either sinfully or profitably; sinfully as when it is treated on only to satisfy curiosity, and to keep up a mere barren speculative dispute… This point of election... is not to be agitated in a verbal and contentious way, but in a saving way, to make us tremble and to set us upon a more diligent and close striving with God in prayer, and all other duties.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Clockwork Orange, 1962
Treating divine truth as a curiosity leads to empty debate; engage with it earnestly to deepen faith.
In simple terms: Approach spiritual truths seriously, not just intellectually.
Key Takeaway
Seek sincere, purposeful prayer and devotion.
Themes
faith
introspection
discipline
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
spiritual
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- study groups
- ethical decision-making
- community service
Key Concepts
theology
spiritual practice
Questions to Reflect On
- What does sincere engagement with faith look like for you?
- How can you balance curiosity with reverence?
A Different Perspective
Risk of becoming overly dogmatic or neglecting practical action.
![“I confess [Election] is a hard doctrine, running contrary to our earthly ideas of fair play, but I can see no way around it. Read I Corinthians 6:13 and II Timothy 1:9,10. Also I Peter 1:2,19,20 and Romans 11:7. There you have it. It was good for Paul and Silas and it is good enough for me. It is…” quote by Charles Portis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c13/charles-portis-10753_calvinism_i-confess-election-is-a-hard-doctrine-ru_2510257.jpg)
