Christianity Quote by John D. Zizioulas
““The question that preoccupied the Fathers was not to know if God existed or not - the existence of God was a "given" for nearly all men of this period, Christians or pagans. The question which tormented entire generations was rather: *how* he existed. And such a question had direct consequences as much for the Church as for man, since both were considered as 'images of God'.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Theology and the Church, John D. Zizioulas, 2005
The core issue for early theologians was not God's existence but the nature of His being and its implications for humanity and the Church.
In simple terms: Early thinkers focused on God's nature, not existence.
Key Takeaway
Explore how divine nature shapes human identity.
Themes
theology
philosophy
anthropology
ecclesiology
Mood
contemplative
introspective
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- seminary study
- interfaith dialogue
- personal spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
ontology
imago Dei
metaphysics
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to be made in God's image?
- How does divine nature affect church practice?
A Different Perspective
The debate assumes a shared belief in God, which may not hold for all audiences.
