karl barth

Karl Barth was born today (10 May) in 1896. I never met him (he died in 1968), but I have studied with students of his.

Some quotes:

• Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers of religion do. He is Himself the way.
• The center is not something which is under our control, but something that controls us.
• To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.
• Joy is the simplist form of gratitude.
• Faith is never identical with piety.
• Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.
• In the Church of Jesus Christ there can and should be no non-theologians.