Those influences which really make and mar human happiness and greatness are beyond the reach of the law. The law can keep neighbors from trespassing, but it cannot put neighborly courtesy and good-will into their relations.
Walter RauschenbuschRead
Christianity is in its nature revolutionary
Interpretation
Christianity inherently promotes change and challenges the status quo.
Walter Rauschenbusch emphasizes that Christianity, at its core, is a force for revolution, encouraging individuals and societies to challenge existing injustices and strive for a more equitable world. This perspective highlights the transformative power of faith, advocating for social change and progress as essential elements of the Christian doctrine.
In practice
During a sermon, a pastor might refer to this quote to inspire his congregation to take action for social justice.
Those influences which really make and mar human happiness and greatness are beyond the reach of the law. The law can keep neighbors from trespassing, but it cannot put neighborly courtesy and good-will into their relations.
The Kingdom of God is not a matter of getting individuals to heaven, but of transforming the life on earth into the harmony of heaven.
Whoever uncouples the religious and the social life has not understood Jesus. Whoever sets any bounds for the reconstructive power of the religious life over the social relations and institutions of men, to that extent denies the faith of the Master.
We never live so intensely as when we love strongly. We never realize ourselves so vividly as when we are in full glow of love for others.
Direct action is the logical, consistent method of Anarchism.
Who can determine where one ends and the other begins?
Heaven but the vision of fulfilled desire, and Hell the shadow from a soul on fire.
A sudden bold and unexpected question doth many times surprise a man and lay him open.
I don't know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.
It is a fool only, and not the philosopher, nor even the prudent man, that will live as if there were no God... Were a man impressed as fully and strongly as he ought to be with the belief of a God, his moral life would be regulated by the force of belief; he would stand in awe of God and of himself, and would not do the thing that could not be concealed from either.
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