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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

Rowan Williams on Identity in Christ - Anglican (Galatians 2:20)

"'No longer I, but Christ'—yet this is not the annihilation of the self but its liberation. The anxious, grasping ego dies; the true self, held in Christ's love, rises. We become most ourselves when Christ becomes our life." — Rowan Williams.

Galatians 2:20Universal

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Theological Quote

St. John Chrysostom on Divine Philanthropy - Orthodox (Romans 5:8)

"This is philanthropy divine—God's love for humanity demonstrated in Christ's death. While we were sinners, alienated from divine life, Christ died to unite us to God. The cross is not transaction but transformation—divine love reaching into death to bring us to life." — St.

Romans 5:8Universal

Theological Quote

Billy Graham on Personal Assurance - Baptist (Romans 8:38-39)

"Do you know—really know—that nothing can separate YOU from God's love? Not your fears, not your failures, not your doubts. The love of God in Christ Jesus holds YOU personally. This is not doctrine only; it is YOUR assurance. NOTHING separates YOU." — Billy Graham.

Romans 8:38-39Universal

Theological Quote

Stanley Hauerwas on Communal Waiting - Anabaptist (Isaiah 40:31)

"'Those who wait'—plural. We wait together. The community that refuses the world's frantic pace, that gathers in patience, that trusts God's timing over efficiency—this community receives strength. Waiting is a communal discipline." — Stanley Hauerwas. Anabaptist: waiting as communal practice.

Isaiah 40:31Universal

Theological Quote

Warren Wiersbe on Wisdom for the Age - Dispensational (James 1:5)

"In these last days, we need wisdom more than ever—to discern truth from error, to understand the times, to navigate increasing deception. God gives generously to believers seeking wisdom for this church age. Ask for wisdom to live faithfully until He comes." — Warren Wiersbe.

James 1:5Universal

Theological Quote

Billy Graham on Personal, Saving Faith - Baptist (Hebrews 11:1)

"Do you have this faith? Not just belief ABOUT God but trust IN God? Faith is personal—it's YOUR substance, YOUR evidence. No one else can believe for you. This faith saves, sustains, and guarantees your eternal home with God." — Billy Graham.

Hebrews 11:1Universal

Theological Quote

John Wesley on Holy Work - Wesleyan (Colossians 3:23-24)

"Work heartily—put your whole heart into it. This is practical holiness: sanctified hands and hearts in daily labor. Whatever work—manual or mental, paid or unpaid—becomes means of grace when offered to God. Holy living includes holy working." — John Wesley.

Colossians 3:23-24Universal

Theological Quote

John Wesley on Grace-Enabled Resistance - Wesleyan (1 Corinthians 10:13)

"God provides the way of escape—but we must take it. Grace enables; we respond. The power to resist is given; we must employ it. This is cooperative grace: God's faithfulness meets our faithfulness. We are not passive but active participants...

1 Corinthians 10:13Universal

Theological Quote

Howard Thurman on the Valley and the Spirituals - Black Church (Psalm 23)

"The enslaved sang Psalm 23 in the cotton fields: 'The Lord is my shepherd.' In the valley of the shadow of slavery, they declared a Shepherd who led to freedom. 'I will fear no evil'—not master, not whip, not death.

Psalm 23:4Universal

Theological Quote

Bill Johnson on Spirit of Power - Charismatic (2 Timothy 1:7)

"POWER—not weakness! The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you! LOVE—perfect love casts out fear! SOUND MIND—clarity in the midst of chaos! This is your inheritance! Fear has NO legal right! Enforce what the Spirit has given!" — Bill Johnson.

2 Timothy 1:7Universal

Theological Quote

John Stott on Balanced Understanding - Anglican (1 Corinthians 10:13)

"Note the balance: temptation is common to humanity—we are not unique in our struggles. Yet God is faithful—we are not alone. He limits temptation—we are not overwhelmed. He provides escape—we are not trapped. This is realistic and hopeful: human struggle, divine faithfulness." — John Stott.

1 Corinthians 10:13Universal

Theological Quote

Warren Wiersbe on Confidence Through Ages - Dispensational (Psalm 27:1)

"Through every dispensation, the LORD has been light to His people—to Israel, to the church. As darkness increases in these last days, His light shines brighter. Our stronghold is eternal; our salvation is secure. We fear not the coming tribulation;...

Psalm 27:1Universal

Theological Quote

John Howard Yoder on Nonviolent Confidence - Anabaptist (Psalm 27:1)

"The LORD is my stronghold—not armies, not weapons, not violence. God's protection frees us from the need to protect ourselves by force. Whom shall I fear? No enemy justifies compromising Jesus' way. Nonviolent confidence trusts the Defender of the defenseless." — John Howard Yoder.

Psalm 27:1Universal

Theological Quote

Jon Sobrino on Strength for Resistance - Liberation (Philippians 4:13)

"Paul wrote this from prison—a political prisoner. 'I can do all things' is resistance faith: Christ strengthens us to stand against injustice, to persist in solidarity, to endure persecution for the poor. This is not prosperity promise but martyr's courage." — Jon Sobrino.

Philippians 4:13Universal

Theological Quote

Menno Simons on Visible New Creation - Anabaptist (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"If any be in Christ, they show it! The new creation is visible in transformed living: peace instead of violence, truth instead of deception, community instead of isolation. If the old has passed, where is the evidence? New creation must...

2 Corinthians 5:17Universal

Theological Quote

Brian McLaren on New Creation Beyond Individual - Progressive (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"New creation isn't just about personal salvation; it's cosmic renewal. The next verse says God is reconciling THE WORLD. We're not just saved souls; we're agents of new creation—partners in making all things new: relationships, systems, creation itself." — Brian McLaren.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19Universal

Theological Quote

Walter Brueggemann on Waiting as Resistance - Progressive (Isaiah 40:31)

"Isaiah 40 speaks to exiles exhausted by empire. 'Wait on the Lord' is not quietism but resistance—refusing to be defined by Babylon's pace and priorities. Renewed strength comes to those who trust God's alternative future, not imperial timelines." — Walter Brueggemann.

Isaiah 40:31Universal

Theological Quote

N.T. Wright on New Creation Life - Anglican (Romans 6:23)

"Eternal life is not just endless existence but the life of the age to come—resurrection life, new creation life. Sin's wages are death, the undoing of creation. God's gift is life, the renewal of all things. In Christ, we receive...

Romans 6:23Universal

Theological Quote

Charles Spurgeon on Exceeding Abundance - Traditional (Ephesians 3:20-21)

"More than we ask—our prayers are too small! More than we imagine—our dreams are too limited! Immeasurably more—God exceeds all measurement! His power works in us; His glory fills the church. Dream big; pray bold; expect abundantly above all." — Charles Spurgeon.

Ephesians 3:20-21Universal

Theological Quote

Jack Hayford on Spirit-Rest - Pentecostal (Matthew 11:28-30)

"Come and find REST for your souls! The Holy Spirit is our rest—the Comforter who soothes, refreshes, renews. In His presence we find the rest Jesus promises. Soak in worship; linger in prayer; let the Spirit give you supernatural rest!" — Jack Hayford.

Matthew 11:28-30Universal

Theological Quote

Warren Wiersbe on Work Until He Comes - Dispensational (Colossians 3:23-24)

"The inheritance Paul mentions is the reward at Christ's judgment seat. Work now; reward comes later. In this church age, we work faithfully, knowing the Lord evaluates all service. Occupy until He comes—and that includes occupational faithfulness. Every job is interim." — Warren Wiersbe.

Colossians 3:24Universal

Theological Quote

Jim Wallis on Work and Justice - Progressive (Colossians 3:23-24)

"Work for the Lord means work that honors God—which includes just wages, fair treatment, dignified conditions. We cannot 'work heartily for the Lord' while exploiting workers. The employer who pays unfairly cannot claim to serve Christ. Work justice IS worship." — Jim Wallis.

Colossians 3:23-24Universal

Theological Quote

Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the Dark Valley - Lutheran (Psalm 23)

"'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death'—note: THROUGH, not around. God does not promise to spare us the valley but to walk with us through it. The shadow of death is still shadow; it is not...

Psalm 23:4Universal

Theological Quote

St. Maximus the Confessor on Theosis as New Creation - Orthodox (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"New creation is theosis—becoming by grace what God is by nature. The old humanity, isolated from God, passes away. The new humanity participates in divine life. We are being re-created in the image of Christ, transformed from glory to glory...

2 Corinthians 5:17Universal