An Introduction to God Quotes

“Humility is a critical element in our salvation, both in our communion with God and in our communion with other people. In practical terms, this means that if we want to be transformed by God, we can’t do it on our own terms. Our acceptance of God’s proposal must be voluntary, but we must accept it. We cannot dictate the terms of our salvation. We also cannot dictate the terms of someone else’s salvation. No matter what someone else’s temptation or sin is, if we lay down judgment on that person—including forcing him out of the community, shunning him, or speaking evil of him—then we ourselves have departed from the path of salvation. If we compare ourselves to others, then we should always come away with the conclusion that, should we make it into the Kingdom, we will go in last. I am the worst of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). I may not have the particular sin I see in my brother, but my sins collectively are much worse. My brother may be repenting, but I am not. I am usurping Christ’s place if I judge him.”
― Andrew Stephen Damick, An Introduction to God: Encountering the Divine in Orthodox Christianity

“Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him, “Abba, as far as I can, I say my [daily prayers], I fast a little, I pray and meditate. I live in peace as far as I can. I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?” Then the old man stood up, stretched his arms towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him, “If you want, you can be all flame.”18”
― Andrew Stephen Damick, An Introduction to God: Encountering the Divine in Orthodox Christianity

“Of the doctrines and injunctions kept by the Church, some we have from instruction. But some we have received, from Apostolic Tradition, by succession in private [i.e., unwritten tradition]. Both the former and the latter have one and the same force for piety, and this will be contradicted by no one who has ever so little knowledge in the ordinances of the Church; for were we to dare to reject unwritten customs, as if they had no great importance, we should insensibly mutilate the Gospel, even in the most essential points, or, rather, for the teaching of the Apostles leave but an empty name.17”
― Andrew Stephen Damick, An Introduction to God: Encountering the Divine in Orthodox Christianity