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
Thus in this oneness Jesus Christ is the Mediator, the Reconciler, between God and man. Thus He comes forward to MAN on behalf of GOD calling for and awakening faith, love and hope, and to GOD on behalf of MAN, representing man, making satisfaction and interceding. Thus He attests and guarantees to God's free GRACE and at the same time attests and guarantees to God man's free GRATITUDE.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes Jesus Christ's role as the mediator between God and humanity, highlighting the importance of faith, love, and gratitude.
In this quote, Karl Barth articulates the theological perspective that Jesus Christ serves as a bridge between God and mankind. He highlights how Christ intercedes on behalf of humanity to God by representing our needs and expressing our gratitude, while simultaneously conveying God's expectations of faith, love, and hope back towards humanity. This dual representation underscores a relationship of reciprocity and grace between the divine and humanity.
Themes
JesusMediatorGraceFaithLoveGratitudeGodHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon discussing the role of faith in personal growth, this quote can be referenced.
More from Karl Barth
All quotes →When 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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