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Home›Browse by Type›Theological Quotes

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Theological Quotes

816 illustrations — Quotes from Lewis, Stott, Bonhoeffer, and other theologians

Browse Theological Quotes by Book

Psalm (23)John (17)Romans (17)Matthew (16)Isaiah (8)2 Corinthians (7)1 John (7)1 Corinthians (7)Philippians (6)Ephesians (6)Jeremiah (6)Hebrews (5)Colossians (5)Luke (4)Revelation (4)2 Timothy (3)Galatians (3)James (3)

Theological Quote

Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Christ-Shaped New Humanity - Christocentric (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"'In Christ'—there is the key. New creation is not self-improvement but Christ-participation. We are new because we are in Him. His death becomes our death to the old; His resurrection becomes our rising to newness. Apart from Christ there is...

2 Corinthians 5:17Universal

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Theological Quote

C.S. Lewis on God's Love - Traditional (John 3:16)

"God, who needs nothing, loves into existence wholly superfluous creatures in order that He may love and perfect them." — C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves. Lewis captures the stunning generosity of John 3:16: God didn't need us, yet loved us...

John 3:16Universal

Theological Quote

J. Vernon McGee on Israel's Shepherd and Ours - Dispensational (Psalm 23)

"David wrote this Psalm looking forward to the Messiah-Shepherd. Israel awaits the fulfillment when Messiah reigns and literally shepherds His people. But in this church age, we too have the Good Shepherd caring for us until He comes again to shepherd all nations." — J.

Psalm 23Universal

Theological Quote

Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Christ as Faith's Object - Christocentric (Hebrews 11:1)

"The substance of faith is Christ; the evidence is Christ. What is hoped for is Christ's kingdom; what is unseen is Christ reigning. Faith is not belief in beliefs but trust in a Person. Christ is what faith grasps; Christ...

Hebrews 11:1Universal

Theological Quote

Lesslie Newbigin on God's Sending Love - Missional (John 3:16)

"Mission is not essentially an action by which the church puts forth its own power and wisdom to conquer the world around it; it is an action of God, putting forth the power of his Spirit to bring the universal...

John 3:16Universal

Theological Quote

Billy Graham on Personal Security in the Shepherd - Baptist (Psalm 23)

"You can know the Shepherd personally. Not just believe He exists, but KNOW Him—His voice, His care, His provision. 'The Lord is MY shepherd'—have you made it personal? Have you given your life to the Good Shepherd who gave His...

Psalm 23:1Universal

Theological Quote

R.C. Sproul on Sovereignty and Good - Reformed (Romans 8:28)

"If there is one maverick molecule in the universe—one molecule running loose outside the plan of God—then God is not sovereign, and if God is not sovereign, He is not God. Romans 8:28 rests on absolute sovereignty: ALL things, without...

Romans 8:28Universal

Theological Quote

Tim Keller on Fearless Mission - Missional (1 John 4:18)

"Fear paralyzes mission—fear of rejection, failure, persecution. Perfect love liberates: knowing we are infinitely loved, we can risk. Gospel confidence comes not from certainty of success but from security in love. The loved missionary is the fearless missionary." — Tim Keller.

1 John 4:18Universal

Theological Quote

Pope Francis on Patient Waiting - Catholic (Isaiah 40:31)

"Waiting on God requires patience—a virtue too often forgotten in our instant culture. The saints knew how to wait: in prayer, in liturgy, in the slow rhythm of the Church year. Renewed strength comes to those who learn holy patience." — Pope Francis.

Isaiah 40:31Universal

Theological Quote

Martin Luther on God's Right Hand - Lutheran (Isaiah 41:10)

"'I will uphold you with my righteous right hand'—the same hand that created worlds holds you. When the devil accuses, when conscience condemns, when circumstances overwhelm—cling to this word. God's right hand is stronger than all that threatens. Fear not!" — Martin Luther.

Isaiah 41:10Universal

Theological Quote

N.T. Wright on Scripture's Story-Light - Anglican (Psalm 119:105)

"Scripture lights our path by revealing the whole story—creation to new creation—and showing us where we stand within it. The Word illumines not just morality but identity: who God is, who we are, where history is going. We find our...

Psalm 119:105Universal

Theological Quote

Billy Graham on God's Personal Promise - Baptist (Isaiah 41:10)

"This is God's personal word to YOU: Fear not, I am with YOU. Not just with humanity in general—with YOU specifically. Whatever you're facing, He faces it with you. Whatever threatens, He is bigger. Take this promise personally: God is YOUR God." — Billy Graham.

Isaiah 41:10Universal

Theological Quote

Martin Luther King Jr. on Courage for Justice - Black Church (Joshua 1:9)

"Courage is not the absence of fear but the strength to act despite it. 'Be not afraid'—but we ARE afraid, and we march anyway. God is with us in the fire hoses and jail cells. Freedom fighters need Joshua's courage:...

Joshua 1:9Universal

Theological Quote

Warren Wiersbe on Church's Unique Identity - Dispensational (1 Peter 2:9)

"In this dispensation, the church holds Israel's calling temporarily: a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Until Israel's restoration, we bear witness. Our identity is unique to this age—chosen from Jews and Gentiles alike, a new people declaring His praises until He comes." — Warren Wiersbe.

1 Peter 2:9Universal

Theological Quote

E. Stanley Jones on Cooperating with God's Future - Wesleyan (Jeremiah 29:11)

"God has plans—but notice the call to seek, to pray, to build, to plant. Divine plans don't bypass human participation. Hope and a future come as we cooperate with what God is doing. The promise is not passive; it's an invitation to partner." — E.

Jeremiah 29:5-7Universal

Theological Quote

Warren Wiersbe on Mind Renewal Through the Word - Dispensational (Romans 12:1-2)

"The mind is renewed through the Word of God. As we saturate our thinking in Scripture, transformation happens. In this church age, God has given us the complete canon—our manual for mind renewal. Discerning God's will comes through knowing God's Word." — Warren Wiersbe.

Romans 12:2Universal

Theological Quote

Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Christ in the Stillness - Christocentric (Psalm 46:10)

"Be still and know—and what do we know? We know Christ. He is the revelation of God; in Him we see who God is. Stillness before Christ, meditation on His word, contemplation of His cross—here we know that He is God.

Psalm 46:10Universal

Theological Quote

Stanley Hauerwas on Simple Trust - Anabaptist (1 Peter 5:7)

"The simple church casts cares simply: in prayer together, in shared meals, in practical help. God cares through the community that cares. This isn't complicated theology—it's lived discipleship. We cast our burdens on each other because we are Christ's body." — Stanley Hauerwas.

1 Peter 5:7Universal

Theological Quote

John Wesley on Following the Shepherd - Wesleyan (Psalm 23)

"He leads me—but I must follow. The Shepherd goes before, but the sheep must walk. Grace leads; we respond. He restores my soul—but I must allow the restoration, cooperating with the Shepherd's work. This is the dance of grace and response." — John Wesley.

Psalm 23:2-3Universal

Theological Quote

Billy Graham on Personal Abundant Life - Baptist (John 10:10)

"Jesus came that YOU might have life—and have it ABUNDANTLY. Not just existence but REAL life. Not just surviving but THRIVING. This is personal: Jesus offers abundant life to YOU. The thief wants YOUR joy; Jesus gives YOU fullness. Receive...

John 10:10Universal

Theological Quote

John Piper on Definitive New Creation - Reformed (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"'If anyone is in Christ—new creation!' This is definitive, not progressive. The moment you are united to Christ by faith, you ARE a new creation. Sanctification follows, but the fundamental reality is settled: old gone, new come. This is the...

2 Corinthians 5:17Universal

Theological Quote

T.D. Jakes on Fresh Mercy Every Day - Pentecostal (Lamentations 3:22-23)

"His mercies are NEW every morning! Yesterday's failures? Under the blood. Yesterday's struggles? Left behind. Today is FRESH! God's faithfulness is GREAT—He doesn't hold yesterday against you. Wake up and receive today's portion of mercy. It's already waiting!" — T.D.

Lamentations 3:22-23Universal

Theological Quote

Pope Francis on God's Tender Care - Catholic (1 Peter 5:7)

"God is not indifferent. He cares—tenderly, personally, like a mother for her child. 'Cast your cares' because the Father's arms are always open. This is the tenderness of God: He delights in taking our burdens. We pray, we confess, we...

1 Peter 5:7Universal

Theological Quote

N.T. Wright on New Creation Victory - Anglican (John 16:33)

"Christ's victory is new creation breaking into old creation. The world's trouble belongs to the old order; Christ's overcoming belongs to the new. We live in overlap: trouble is real, but so is resurrection. Take heart—the future has invaded the...

John 16:33Universal