The important thing is not saying “Lord, Lord,” but the inward truthfulness in which we do God’s will. In fact we rejoice about all those who are open to this freedom and this will to love, even if they are not yet able to confess to Christ at all. A free movement, a movement of the spirit, an early Christian movement, an academic and modern movement needs the free working of all those who are called, and free personal responsibility.
- Eberhard Arnold
March 26,2026
- Eberhard Arnold From a letter, July 1922Our inner fire, yes, even our enthusiasm, our inspiration, and soul, and Eros—everything that is fire and love—must flow together with the one great light, with the holy Agape, with the heart of God, with Jesus Christ; and being born out of Him, it must gain new life in purity and power. It is quite clear that this means that everything which is greed, desire for possession, despotism, the demand of the individual, is consumed and completely spent in this sun fire. The one—the old world with its greed for possession—perishes, and the other—the new creation with its divine life that dedicates, embraces, and pours itself out in joy—is born.
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How much of the old nature must still be put aside before Christ is all in all! Renewal does not imply completion; rebirth is only the beginning of purification. It is normal to recognize more and more what is bad in us. So put it aside through Christ and keep moving forward.
- Eberhard Arnold
Millions are oppressed, languishing, barely alive. True identification with them can come only the hard way of personally sharing their need. We must expose ourselves to the all-too-real horrors of their daily life, together with those who are physically enervated, spiritually ruined, and emotionally diseased. We can comprehend the measureless suffering of the world and the unsolved need of man only when we ourselves actually suffer poverty, shame, and want. We can speak about them only when our words come from the very depth of our hearts.
- Eberhard Arnold