We have before us the fiendishness of business competition and the world war, passion and wrongdoing, antagonism between classes and moral depravity within them, economic tyranny above and the slave spirit below.
Karl BarthRead
In Jesus, God wills to be true God not only in the height but also in the depth - in the depth of human creatureliness, sinfulness and mortality.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the concept that God embodies truth in both exalted and humble human experiences, including our flaws and mortality.
Karl Barth's quote reflects a deep theological perspective that portrays God as being intimately connected to humanity's experience, including its imperfections and vulnerabilities. By stating that God wills to be true not only in the 'height' but also in the 'depth', Barth suggests that divine truth is not only found in grand or majestic moments, but also in the everyday reality of human struggle, sinfulness, and the inevitable reality of mortality. This understanding highlights the relational nature of God with humanity, affirming that even in our lowest points, God remains present and authentic.
Themes
GodTruthHumanitySinMortalityDepthFaith
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon discussing the nature of God's relationship with humanity.
More from Karl Barth
All quotes βWhen we speak of our virtues we are competitors, when we confess our sins we become brothers.
Karl BarthRead
Conscience is the perfect interpreter of life.
Karl BarthRead
That the zeal for God's honor is also a dangerous passion, that the Christian must bring with him the courage to swim against the tide instead of with it... accept a good deal of loneliness, will perhaps be nowhere so clear and palpable as in the church, where he would so much like things to be different. Yet he cannot and he will not refuse to take this risk and pay this price... he belongs where the reformation of the church is underway or will again be underway.
Karl BarthRead
In the Church of Jesus Christ there can and should be no non-theologians.
Karl BarthRead
Christian worship is the most momentous, most urgent, most glorious action that can take place in human life.
Karl BarthRead
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