Building Quote by John Calvin
“When a certain shameless fellow mockingly asked a pious old man what God had done before the creation of the world the latter aptly countered that he had been building hell for the curious.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: Commentary on Genesis, 1559
The quote suggests that divine purpose includes creating challenges (hell) for inquisitive beings, implying a moral lesson about curiosity and humility.
In simple terms: God creates challenges for the curious.
Key Takeaway
Respect humility and limits of knowledge.
Themes
humility
curiosity
divine purpose
morality
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- personal reflection
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
theodicy
free will
spiritual discipline
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to be 'curious' in a spiritual sense?
- How can humility guide our search for truth?
A Different Perspective
The statement may oversimplify complex theological concepts and ignore benevolent aspects of creation.
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
