Christianity Quote by John D. Zizioulas
““Man is free only within communion. If the Church wishes to be the place of freedom, she must continually place all the 'objects' she possesses, whatever they may be (Scripture, sacraments, ministries, etc.) within the communion-event to make them 'true' and to make her members free in regard to them as objects, as well as in them and through them as channels of communion. Christians must learn not to lean on objective 'truths' as securities for truth, but to live in an epicletic way, i.e. leaning on the communion-event in which the structure of the Church involves them. Truth liberates by placing beings in communion.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Theology of the Body, John D. Zizioulas, 1995
Freedom is realized in communal participation, not in clinging to static truths; the Church must make all its elements channels of shared life.
In simple terms: Freedom comes from shared life, not fixed doctrines.
Key Takeaway
Seek communion, not isolated certainty.
Themes
community
freedom
theology
ecclesiology
spirituality
Mood
reflective
hopeful
serious
Type
theological
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- worship
- small groups
- counseling
- confession
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
ecclesial communion
relational ontology
epistemic humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does communal practice transform personal belief?
- What risks arise when truth is treated as a static object?
A Different Perspective
If the Church overemphasizes doctrine, it may become rigid and alienating.
