Christian Quote by Nikolai Berdyaev
“The central idea of the Eastern Fathers was that of theosis, the divinization of all creatures, the transfiguration of the world, the idea of the cosmos and not the idea of personal salvation...Only later Christian consciousness began to value the idea of hell more than the idea of the transfiguration and divinization of the world...The Kingdom of God is the transfiguration of the world, the universal resurrection, a new heaven and a new earth.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Idea of the Christian Life, 1915
The Eastern Fathers emphasized becoming divine, transforming the world, whereas later Christianity focused more on personal salvation and hell.
In simple terms: Early Christianity saw divinization of all, later shifted to personal afterlife.
Key Takeaway
Consider how worldview shapes spiritual priorities.
Themes
theosis
divinization
cosmic transformation
Mood
hopeful
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- church teaching
- personal faith
- ethical living
Key Concepts
spirituality
ecclesiology
Questions to Reflect On
- How might embracing universal divinization change societal values?
- What risks arise from neglecting personal salvation?
A Different Perspective
Modern focus on hell can limit ecological and communal responsibility.
![“Tony [Campolo] and I might disagree on the details, but I think we are both trying to find an alternative to both traditional Universalism and the narrow, exclusivist understanding of hell [that unless you explicitly accept and follow Jesus, you are excluded from eternal life with God and destined…” quote by Brian D. McLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9d1/brian-d-mclaren-8226_accepting_tony-campolo-and-i-might-disagree-on-the_577840.jpg)
