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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

Howard Thurman on Worry and the Disinherited - Black Church (Matthew 6:25-27)

"The disinherited have much to worry about—real threats, real needs, real dangers. Yet Jesus says 'do not worry.' This is not denial but defiance: refusing to let anxiety rule when oppressors want you afraid. Trust in God is resistance; peace is protest." — Howard Thurman.

Matthew 6:25-27Universal

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Theological Quote

Pope Francis on the Table Prepared - Catholic (Psalm 23)

"'You prepare a table before me'—God sets the Eucharistic table even in the presence of our enemies, our struggles, our sins. The banquet is not earned; it is prepared FOR us. We come hungry; we leave fed. This is the...

Psalm 23:5Universal

Theological Quote

T.D. Jakes on Supernatural Abundant Life - Pentecostal (John 10:10)

"Jesus didn't come to give you ordinary life—He came to give you ABUNDANT life! OVERFLOWING! SUPERNATURAL! The enemy wants to steal your joy, kill your dreams, destroy your purpose—but JESUS gives LIFE! More than enough! Walk in the FULLNESS!" — T.D.

John 10:10Universal

Theological Quote

Jon Sobrino on Trust Amid Uncertainty - Liberation (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"The poor trust God not because they have answers but because they have nothing else. 'Lean not on your own understanding'—easy to say when understanding offers no solutions. Trusting God is the faith of those who walk into darkness believing...

Proverbs 3:5-6Universal

Theological Quote

Stanley Hauerwas on the Community of Sheep - Anabaptist (Psalm 23)

"Note that sheep travel in flocks. 'The Lord is MY shepherd' is spoken within community. We are not isolated individuals with personal shepherds; we are a flock, together following, together fed, together protected. The Psalm is personal but never private." — Stanley Hauerwas.

Psalm 23Universal

Theological Quote

St. Theophan the Recluse on Prayer and Care-Casting - Orthodox (1 Peter 5:7)

"In prayer we cast our cares—the Jesus Prayer itself is a casting: 'Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.' Each repetition releases anxiety into divine mercy. The practice of ceaseless prayer is ceaseless care-casting. God's providence holds what we release." — St.

1 Peter 5:7Universal

Theological Quote

James Cone on New Creation and Liberation - Black Church (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"New creation isn't just spiritual; it's the making of a new world where the old oppressions pass away. In Christ, racism is old; dignity is new. Slavery is old; freedom is new. To be a new creation is to be...

2 Corinthians 5:17Universal

Theological Quote

A.W. Tozer on Living Word - Pentecostal (Psalm 119:105)

"The Word is not dead letters but living light! The Spirit illumines Scripture—makes it personal, makes it NOW. When you open the Bible, expect the Spirit to switch on the lamp! The Word becomes light when the Spirit reveals it to YOUR situation." — A.W.

Psalm 119:105Universal

Theological Quote

David Bosch on New Creation and Mission - Missional (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"The new creation has already begun in Christ, and we are its ambassadors. Mission is announcing and embodying this new reality. We don't just tell people how to go to heaven; we demonstrate that heaven is breaking in—new creation is...

2 Corinthians 5:17-20Universal

Theological Quote

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware on Hesychastic Stillness - Orthodox (Psalm 46:10)

"'Be still'—this is hesychia, the sacred stillness of the heart. In hesychasm, through the Jesus Prayer, we descend from the mind into the heart and there encounter the living God. 'Know that I am God'—gnosis, direct experiential knowledge, theotic knowing." — Kallistos Ware.

Psalm 46:10Universal

Theological Quote

John Howard Yoder on Word and Community - Anabaptist (Psalm 119:105)

"The lamp shines brightest in community—we read Scripture together, discerning together what it illumines. The path lit is often the path of discipleship: nonviolence, simplicity, community. The Word lights the Jesus-way, and we walk it together." — John Howard Yoder.

Psalm 119:105Universal

Theological Quote

Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Following Jesus to the Cross - Lutheran (Hebrews 12:1-2)

"Looking to Jesus means following Him to the cross. He endured the cross, despising the shame—for us. The race is costly discipleship; cheap grace offers no finish line. But He who endured is now seated at God's right hand.

Hebrews 12:1-2Universal

Theological Quote

Billy Graham on Personal Work Ethic - Baptist (Colossians 3:23-24)

"Whatever YOUR work—do it for the Lord. Your boss may not appreciate you; your coworkers may not notice; but Christ sees and rewards. YOU work for HIM. That changes everything: your attitude, your effort, your integrity. Personal faithfulness in work matters." — Billy Graham.

Colossians 3:23-24Universal

Theological Quote

St. John Chrysostom on Surrounded by Saints - Orthodox (Hebrews 12:1-2)

"The icons of saints surround us in worship—the cloud of witnesses made visible. They have finished the race; their example inspires. We run toward theosis, toward becoming what Christ is. Looking to Jesus, the perfecter, we are transformed from glory to glory." — St.

Hebrews 12:1-2Universal

Theological Quote

St. Gregory of Nyssa on Dwelling Forever - Orthodox (Psalm 23)

"'I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever'—this is theosis, eternal participation in divine life. The Psalm moves from pasture to table to dwelling—ever deeper communion. The goal is not just provision but union, dwelling eternally in God's presence." — St.

Psalm 23:6Universal

Theological Quote

Howard Thurman on Wisdom for Survival - Black Church (James 1:5)

"The oppressed need wisdom—wisdom to survive, wisdom to resist, wisdom to hope. God gives generously to those seeking how to live with integrity in unjust systems. Ask for wisdom to navigate, wisdom to endure, wisdom to see the way forward...

James 1:5Universal

Theological Quote

Billy Graham on Personal Faithfulness - Baptist (Lamentations 3:22-23)

"God is faithful to YOU—personally, specifically. His mercies are new every morning for YOUR life, YOUR struggles, YOUR journey. When you wake tomorrow, fresh mercy waits. Great is His faithfulness—to YOU. Receive it personally; praise Him thankfully." — Billy Graham.

Lamentations 3:22-23Universal

Theological Quote

Oscar Romero on Hope for the Oppressed - Liberation (Jeremiah 29:11)

"To the campesinos in exile from their land, to the refugees, to those displaced by violence: God has plans for YOU—not the plans of the powerful who exile you, but God's plans of hope. Liberation is coming. Justice will prevail.

Jeremiah 29:11Universal

Theological Quote

Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Mercy Each Morning - Lutheran (Lamentations 3:22-23)

"In the darkness of Tegel prison, I wake to new mercy. God's faithfulness is not abstract doctrine but morning reality—today's bread, today's strength, today's hope. His mercies are new; mine do not need to be carried from yesterday. Each morning...

Lamentations 3:22-23Universal

Theological Quote

Jon Sobrino on Jesus as Way of Liberation - Liberation (John 14:6)

"The way of Jesus is the way of the cross—solidarity with victims, confrontation with powers, love unto death. When Jesus says 'I am the way,' He invites us onto a path that leads through Golgotha. The life He offers passes through death to injustice.

John 14:6Universal

Theological Quote

Tim Keller on the Shepherd Who Seeks - Missional (Psalm 23)

"In the ancient world, gods didn't seek people—people sought gods. But our Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. He leads, guides, pursues. Mission flows from this: we seek others because He first sought us." — Tim Keller. The...

Psalm 23Universal

Theological Quote

Walter Brueggemann on Communal Temptation - Progressive (1 Corinthians 10:13)

"Temptation is not merely individual moral failure but includes systemic seductions—idolatry of empire, worship of wealth, complicity with injustice. The 'way of escape' may be prophetic resistance, communal accountability, choosing solidarity over safety. We face temptation together." — Walter Brueggemann.

1 Corinthians 10:13-14Universal

Theological Quote

Warren Wiersbe on Rest Now and Coming - Dispensational (Matthew 11:28-30)

"Christ offers rest NOW—present salvation rest for the weary. But ultimate rest awaits: the millennial kingdom, the eternal state, when all burdens cease forever. We taste rest now; we will feast on rest then. Present grace; future glory." — Warren Wiersbe.

Matthew 11:28-30Universal

Theological Quote

Joseph Prince on Radical Grace - Charismatic (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"Grace is not just unmerited favor—it is God's EMPOWERING presence! The same grace that saved you now enables you to live victoriously. Stop striving and start receiving! Grace isn't permission to sin; it's power to reign! Live in radical grace!" — Joseph Prince.

Ephesians 2:8-9Universal