--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our starting-point must be the fact that…" description: "\"Our starting-point must be the fact that God cannot be named... no mind has yet contained or language embraced God's substance in its fullness. No, we ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa0/gregory-of-nazianzus-12417_christian_our-starting-point-must-be-the-fact-that_2746585.jpg" --- # Our starting-point must be the fact that God cannot be… ![“Our starting-point must be the fact that God cannot be named... no mind has yet contained or language embraced God's substance in its fullness. No, we use facts connected with Him to outline qualities that correspond with Him, collecting a faint and feeble mental image from various quarters. Our…” quote by Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa0/gregory-of-nazianzus-12417_christian_our-starting-point-must-be-the-fact-that_2746585.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa0/gregory-of-nazianzus-12417_christian_our-starting-point-must-be-the-fact-that_2746585.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa0/gregory-of-nazianzus-12417_christian_our-starting-point-must-be-the-fact-that_2746585.jpg) > “Our starting-point must be the fact that God cannot be named... no mind has yet contained or language embraced God's substance in its fullness. No, we use facts connected with Him to outline qualities that correspond with Him, collecting a faint and feeble mental image from various quarters. Our noblest theologian is not one who has discovered the whole - our earthly shackles do not permit us the whole - but one whose mental image is by comparison fuller, who has gathered in his mind a richer picture, outline, or whatever we call it, of the truth.” [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. God’s essence is beyond language; theologians build partial images using facts, striving for fuller understanding despite human limits. **In simple terms:** God cannot be fully named; we use facts to picture Him. Key Takeaway Seek deeper insight while accepting mystery. Themes theology knowledge humility Mood contemplative reverent Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - faith study - philosophical contemplation - academic theology Key Concepts language limits spiritual pursuit intellectual humility Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile faith with uncertainty? - What role do facts play in spiritual understanding? A Different Perspective Human concepts may never capture divine fullness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Fullness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fullness/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Orthodox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orthodox/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Shackles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shackles/) [Starting point](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting-point/) [Theologian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theologian/) ## Related quotes > [“Divine Love is the primary Quality of God. Divine Love is an emotion of God, and as such is a substance that God can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padma-aon-prakasha/divine-love-is-the-primary-quality-of-god-divine-love-is-an-emotion/) [Padma Aon Prakasha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padma-aon-prakasha/) > [School children and students who love God should never say: "For my part I like mathematics"; "I like French"; "I like Greek." They should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/school-children-and-students-who-love-god-should-never-say-for-my/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [Except God no substance can be granted or conceived. .. Everything, I say, is in God, and all things which are made, are made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/except-god-no-substance-can-be-granted-or-conceived-everything-i-say/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/god-is-the-highest-good-of-the-reasonable-creature-the-enjoyment-of/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“ This union of two natures in Christ's one Person is doubtless one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian religion. It needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle-2/this-union-of-two-natures-in-christ-s-one-person-is-doubtless-one-of/) [J.C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle-2/) > [Dreams like a podcast, Downloading truth in my ears. They tell me cool stuff." "Apollo?" I guess, because I figured nobody else could make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/dreams-like-a-podcast-downloading-truth-in-my-ears-they-tell-me-cool/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“After the 9/11 attacks, when President George W. Bush, in a speech aimed at distinguishing the U.S. from the Muslim fundamentalists, said, "Our God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/after-the-9-11-attacks-when-president-george-w-bush-in-a-speech-aimed/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [For I have shown from the Scriptures, that no one of the sons of Adam is as to everything, and absolutely, called God, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irenaeus-of-lyons/for-i-have-shown-from-the-scriptures-that-no-one-of-the-sons-of-adam/) [Irenaeus of Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irenaeus-of-lyons/) > [Apollo?” I guessed… He put a finger to his lips. “I’m incognito. Call me Fred.” A god named Fred?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/apollo-i-guessed-he-put-a-finger-to-his-lips-i-m-incognito-call-me/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [ George Bush, within a week of this \[the 9/11 attacks\], in a speech, attempting to distinguish US from the Muslim fundamentalists, said Our God… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/george-bush-within-a-week-of-this-the-9-11-attacks-in-a-speech/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The God that can be named is not God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/the-god-that-can-be-named-is-not-god/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [“God is a fact to them. God is defined as the basic laws of the universe or cosmos. God is everything that existed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-r-mason/god-is-a-fact-to-them-god-is-defined-as-the-basic-laws-of-the/) E.R. Mason > [We must love all facts, not for their consequences, but because in each fact God is there present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/we-must-love-all-facts-not-for-their-consequences-but-because-in-each/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [The fact that God knows everything does not mean that He is directly causing everything. He respects our freedom at our level. He makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-george/the-fact-that-god-knows-everything-does-not-mean-that-he-is-directly/) [Francis George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-george/) > [“The sky is absolutely empty. Beautifully pure and empty. As if the architects and builders would live in all the houses they built! Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fowles/the-sky-is-absolutely-empty-beautifully-pure-and-empty-as-if-the/) [John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fowles/) ## More by Gregory of Nazianzus > [That which He has not assumed He has not healed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/that-which-he-has-not-assumed-he-has-not-healed/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [As far as we can reach, He Who Is, and God, are the special names of His Essence; and of these especially He Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/as-far-as-we-can-reach-he-who-is-and-god-are-the-special-names-of-his/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [But as the old Confusion of tongues was laudable, when men who were of one language in wickedness and impiety, even as some now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/but-as-the-old-confusion-of-tongues-was-laudable-when-men-who-were-of/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [If anyone does not believe that Holy Mary is the Mother of God, he is severed from the Godhead. If anyone should assert that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/if-anyone-does-not-believe-that-holy-mary-is-the-mother-of-god-he-is/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [What He was, He laid aside; what He was not, He assumed. He takes upon Himself the poverty of my flesh so that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/what-he-was-he-laid-aside-what-he-was-not-he-assumed-he-takes-upon/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [The first of all beautiful things is the continual possession of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/the-first-of-all-beautiful-things-is-the-continual-possession-of-god/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [Such is the grace and power of baptism; not an overwhelming of the world as of old, but a purification of the sins of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/such-is-the-grace-and-power-of-baptism-not-an-overwhelming-of-the/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [Keep the Feast of the Resurrection. Be a Peter or a John; hasten to the Sepulchre, running together, running against one another, vying in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/keep-the-feast-of-the-resurrection-be-a-peter-or-a-john-hasten-to-the/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [Our teaching may contain nothing impious, nothing diluted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/our-teaching-may-contain-nothing-impious-nothing-diluted/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [Remember God more often than you breathe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/remember-god-more-often-than-you-breathe/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [If our Lord ascends up to Heaven, ascend with Him. Be one of those angels who escort Him, or one of those who receive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/if-our-lord-ascends-up-to-heaven-ascend-with-him-be-one-of-those/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [It is difficult to practice obedience; but it is even more difficult to practice leadership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/it-is-difficult-to-practice-obedience-but-it-is-even-more-difficult/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [May you be children of God, pure and unblameable, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (cf. Phil. 1:15): and may you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/may-you-be-children-of-god-pure-and-unblameable-in-the-midst-of-a/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [Worship the Trinity, which I call the only true devotion and saving doctrine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/worship-the-trinity-which-i-call-the-only-true-devotion-and-saving/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [Christ is born: glorify Him. Christ comes from heaven: go out to meet Him. Christ descends to earth: let us be raised on high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/christ-is-born-glorify-him-christ-comes-from-heaven-go-out-to-meet/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) [Explore all 55 Gregory of Nazianzus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) ## More Christian quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. 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I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our starting-point must be the fact that God cannot be named... no mind has yet contained or language embraced God's substance in its fullness. No, we use facts connected with Him to outline qualities that correspond with Him, collecting a faint and feeble mental image from various quarters. 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