The church of Christ has a great message entrusted to it which must go forth to all mankind. All men shall be reached by it. This does not mean that already in this moment of history everyone must live in the church of Christ; but it does mean that all men must be reached by the witness of truth which tells what the final goal of human history is: this unity of Christ which is revealed in the embassy of Christ’s church. This fact strikes deep into the heart of all men, even if they are not all ready for it today.
- 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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Our task is to understand the divine significance of the immense present-day movements for the advancement of the working people and for a peaceful future, to recognize the work of God towards his goal in the socialist and pacifist movements today. The goal is the future kingdom of peace, of justice on the earth: that is the hope of a Christian.
- Eberhard Arnold
When we live in the kingdom of his love we will be concerned to see each man in Christ. We will grow freely without rules and regulations, and live according to the nature of the future kingdom. This nature is love and freedom from impurity, mammon, lying, and pride. With the peace of Christ ruling in us, his love streams out from us. We use every minute, in political and economic affairs as well, to work in his spirit so as to give a picture, also practically here and now, of the character of his future kingdom: simply a community life in unconditional love.
- Eberhard Arnold