Here things do not proceed as the evangelicals say: “Come here, poor soul; be saved and receive forgiveness of your sins.” This is included, of course, but it is not the main thing. The main thing is that the kingdom of God is at hand. The kingdom of God descending from heaven is pressing to come. Without this, there is no proclamation; without this there is no service of the Word; without it there is no apostleship, no discipleship, no pupils in the school of Jesus Christ.
- Eberhard Arnold
- Eberhard Arnold, January 1920 From an EssayJustice and love demand that everyone take part in simple practical work with a spade, hatchet, or rake. Everyone should be ready to devote a few hours every day to this practical work; those who have done purely mental work till now will feel its humanizing effect especially. In this way it will be possible for each person’s unique gifts to be kindled. The light that flickers within each heart will then exhibit its once-hidden glow in scholarly research or in music, in expressive words, or in the craftsman’s art in wood, stone, or paint…such work will reveal the joy in life that is in each person. Only death knows idleness and tedium. Where there is life, the mind’s creative will remains alert and comes to expression in the service of the whole.
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The final kingdom is completely realized in the future and also in the present. Where there is true faith, there is the true work of his Spirit and his community. And therefore the future cannot be cut off from the present with a knife; rather, where the Holy Spirit is, there is the power of the future kingdom of peace, justice, love, and brotherliness. Thus we believe in the brotherhood of the church of Jesus Christ.
- Eberhard Arnold
Whether we eat, or drink, or work, or whatever we do, we want to turn from all unrighteousness and long with our whole hearts for righteousness and for the kingdom of God. We want to hate all unrighteousness just as God hates it, and we want to love all righteousness as God loves it.
- Eberhard Arnold