The planet earth is surrounded, as it were, by an insulating layer formed by the thoughts of men, by the mass-impulses of men. And now it is important for God’s Spirit, for God’s love, that somewhere there is a breach, that somewhere absolute love, full brotherliness and complete clarity, also complete readiness for the fight against all evil spirits, can break through and break in. It makes no difference where this place is. One could say it is neither here nor there. Just as the clouds in the sky change continually, thus also this open place through which God’s love and peace break in is not bound to any place. Jesus says that where two or three gather in His name, in His being, in His power, He is in their midst.
- Eberhard Arnold
- Eberhard Arnold, November 1918 From an EssayWhen poets describe their experience of the powers that move in their inmost hearts, then they speak about longing. If we allow only a few rays of hope from the poets to work upon us, we will be deeply moved by the indissoluble connection between mankind and longing. Even the smallest selection of the poetic outpouring of human longing will confront us with their deepest content: the longing for God and for unity with God. At the deepest level, they have recognized that the essence of all longing is the cry of the soul to God.
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In the midst of the increasing violence of injustice, in the midst of the widespread coldness of heart and brutality of our time, love shall be revealed. This love towers higher than all earth’s mountains and shines out more purely and brightly than all heaven’s stars. It is more mighty and powerful than earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, greater than all powers and ruling forces of the world. It has a stronger influence on history than all catastrophes, wars and revolutions, and it is more alive than all the life in creation and its most energetic forces. Above all nature and throughout all history love proves itself to be the Almighty’s final power, the final greatness of His heart, the last revelation of His Spirit.
- Eberhard Arnold
Lasting peace can be brought about only by Him who is immortal and eternal. It can never be established by earthly powers. Only the infinite power of God can build up unity and keep peace. All that is mortal is subject to disintegration and dissolution. If unity of life is to be won and kept, death must be overpowered by life.
- Eberhard Arnold