Personal, inner change without a change in circumstances and structures is an idealist illusion, as though man were only a soul and not a body as well.
Jurgen MoltmannRead
In Christian terms, evangelization and humanization are not alternatives. Nor are the 'vertical dimension' of faith and the 'horizontal dimension' of love for one's neighbor and political change.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Faith and love are interconnected and both essential for meaningful human existence.
This quote emphasizes that in Christian thought, the act of evangelization (spreading faith) and humanization (promoting human dignity) are two sides of the same coin. Additionally, it suggests that the spiritual dimension of faith (vertical dimension) and the call to love others and engage in social change (horizontal dimension) are not separate pursuits but are deeply intertwined and necessary for a holistic understanding of faith in action.
Themes
FaithLoveEvangelizationHumanizationSocial Change
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon discussing community service, one might use this quote to illustrate the relationship between faith and action.
More from Jurgen Moltmann
All quotes βSimilar quotes
An eye for an eye only leads to more blindness.
Margaret AtwoodRead
Time drops in decay Like a candle burnt out. And the mountains and woods Have their day, have their day; But, kindly old rout Of the fire-born moods, You pass not away.
William Butler YeatsRead
Jesus came into this world not as a philosopher or a general but as a carpenter. All work matters to God.
Timothy KellerRead
Philosophy is written in this grand book, the universe, which stands continually open to our gaze. But the book cannot be understood unless one first learns to comprehend the language and read the letters in which it is composed.
Galileo GalileiRead
The early morning belongs to the Church of the risen Christ. At the break of light it remembers the morning on which death and sin lay prostrate in defeat and new life and salvation were given to mankind
Dietrich BonhoefferRead
Life in the true sense is perceiving or thinking.
AristotleRead