On the basis of the eternal will of God we have to think of EVERY HUMAN BEING, even the oddest, most villainous or miserable, as one to whom Jesus Christ is Brother and God is Father; and we have to deal with him on this assumption. If the other person knows that already, then we have to strengthen him in the knowledge. If he does no know it yet or no longer knows it, our business is to transmit this knowledge to him.
Karl Barth (Theologian, 1886 – 1968)
All sin has its being and origin in the fact that man wants to be his own judge. And in wanting to be that, and thinking and acting accordingly, he and his whole world is in conflict with God. It is an unreconciled world, and therefore a suffering world, a world given up to destruction.
Karl Barth (Theologian, 1886 – 1968)
Christian worship is the most momentous, most urgent, most glorious action that can take place in human life.
Karl Barth (Theologian, 1886 – 1968)
Theology is not a private subject for theologians only. Nor is it a private subject for professors. Fortunately, there have always been pastors who have understood more about theology than most professors. Nor is theology a private subject of study for pastors. Fortunately, there have repeatedly been congregation members, and often whole congregations, who have pursued theology energetically while their pastors were theological infants or barbarians. Theology is a matter for the Church.
Karl Barth (Theologian, 1886 – 1968)
No one can be saved – in virtue of what he can do. Everyone can be saved – in virtue of what God can do.
Karl Barth (Theologian, 1886 – 1968)
We must read the Bible through the eyes of shipwrecked people for whom everything has gone overboard.
Karl Barth (Theologian, 1886 – 1968)
What happened on that day (of Easter) became, was and remained the centre around which everything else moves. For everything lasts its time, but the love of God – which was at work and was expressed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – lasts forever. Because this event took place, there is no reason to despair, and even when we read the newspaper with all its confusing and frightening news, there is every reason to hope.
Karl Barth (Theologian, 1886 – 1968)
Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers of religion do. He is himself the way.
Karl Barth (Theologian, 1886 – 1968)
I have read many books, but the Bible reads me.
Karl Barth (Theologian, 1886 – 1968)
Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.
Karl Barth (Theologian, 1886 – 1968)