---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The great theologians from Paul and…"
description: "\"“The great theologians from Paul and Augustine to G. C. Berkouwer and Karl Barth ... have been able to explain what the faith does not mean as well as ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/anonymous-1_faith_the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augu_458439.jpg"
---

#  The great theologians from Paul and Augustine to G. C…

![“The great theologians from Paul and Augustine to G. C. Berkouwer and Karl Barth ... have been able to explain what the faith does not mean as well as what it means.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/anonymous-1_faith_the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augu_458439.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/anonymous-1_faith_the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augu_458439.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/anonymous-1_faith_the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augu_458439.jpg)

> ““The great theologians from Paul and Augustine to G. C. Berkouwer and Karl Barth ... have been able to explain what the faith does not mean as well as what it means.””

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote suggests that theologians can clarify both what faith means and what it does not mean.

**In simple terms:** Theologians explain faith's meaning and limits.

Key Takeaway

Seek clear definitions of belief.

Themes

theology interpretation faith

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

explanatory scholarly

When to use this quote

- academic discussion
- personal belief
- interfaith dialogue
- educational curricula

Key Concepts

epistemology clarification

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you distinguish faith's core from its cultural layers?
- What limits exist in theological explanation?

A Different Perspective

Complex doctrines may resist simple explanations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Theologians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theologians/)

## Related quotes

> [Even theologians, even the great theologians of the thirteenth century, even Saint Thomas Aquinas himself did not trust to faith alone, or assume the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/even-theologians-even-the-great-theologians-of-the-thirteenth-century/)

[Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/)

> [“One of the great “theologians” of our time, Sean Penn, put it this way: “When everything gets answered, it’s fake. The mystery is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/one-of-the-great-theologians-of-our-time-sean-penn-put-it-this-way/)

[Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/)

> [The Puritans were accustomed to explain faith by the word 'recumbency.' It meant leaning upon a thing. Lean with all your weight upon Christ.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-puritans-were-accustomed-to-explain-faith-by-the-word-recumbency/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [I think it is impossible to explain faith. It is like trying to explain air, which one cannot do by dividing it into its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-white/i-think-it-is-impossible-to-explain-faith-it-is-like-trying-to/)

[Patrick White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-white/)

> [Beth could not reason upon or explain the faith that gave her courage and patience to give up life, and cheerfully wait for death.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/beth-could-not-reason-upon-or-explain-the-faith-that-gave-her-courage/)

[Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/)

> [“… a person who tries to use reasoning to explain faith gets lost in the wilderness of incomprehension.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chando/a-person-who-tries-to-use-reasoning-to-explain-faith-gets-lost-in-the/)

[Janvier Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chando/)

> [Understanding sometimes is not enough to explain something. Only faith is sufficient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ley/understanding-sometimes-is-not-enough-to-explain-something-only-faith/)

[Robert Ley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ley/)

> [“How do I make more than a fumbling attempt to explain that faith is not legislated, that it is not a small box which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/how-do-i-make-more-than-a-fumbling-attempt-to-explain-that-faith-is/)

[Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/)

> [Theologians always try to turn the Bible into a book without common sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/theologians-always-try-to-turn-the-bible-into-a-book-without-common/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Only a very few can be learned, but all can be Christian, all can be devout, and – I shall boldly add – all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/only-a-very-few-can-be-learned-but-all-can-be-christian-all-can-be/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Every time we mention God we become theologians, and the only question is whether we are going to be good ones or bad ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-time-we-mention-god-we-become-theologians-and-the-only-question/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“the confident answers of theologians no longer seem so convincing as they did in former centuries.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-confident-answers-of-theologians-no-longer-seem-so-convincing-as/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“It is fashionable to avoid talking of the wrath of God. Karl Barth for years neglected the theme and likewise most contemporary theologians. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-ford/it-is-fashionable-to-avoid-talking-of-the-wrath-of-god-karl-barth-for/)

[Desmond Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-ford/)

> [Karl Barth said it well: "We have to read the Bible in one hand... and the newspaper in the other." Our faith should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/karl-barth-said-it-well-we-have-to-read-the-bible-in-one-hand-and-the/)

[Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/)

> [I moved to Philadelphia to go to school at Eastern partly because I wanted to study the Bible and I also went to study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/i-moved-to-philadelphia-to-go-to-school-at-eastern-partly-because-i/)

[Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/)

## More by Anonymous

> [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More Faith quotes

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/)

[St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/)

> [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/)

[Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/)

> [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/)

[John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/)

> [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/)

Riffat Hassan

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

> [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/)

[John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/)

> [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/)

Matt Morris (1

> [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. The eternal truths of the Kingdom aren’t altered or affected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/just-because-your-faith-is-shaken-doesn-t-mean-the-faith-is-shaken/)

[Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/)

> [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/)

[Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/)

> [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/)

[Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/)

> [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/)

[Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/)

[Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The great theologians from Paul and Augustine to G. C. Berkouwer and Karl Barth ... have been able to explain what the faith does not mean as well as what it means.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Anonymous"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augustine-to-g-c-berkouwer-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Faith"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augustine-to-g-c-berkouwer-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/anonymous-1_faith_the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augu_458439.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/anonymous-1_faith_the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augu_458439.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/anonymous-1_faith_the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augu_458439.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The great theologians from Paul and Augustine to G. C. Berkouwer and Karl Barth ... have been able to…” — Anonymous",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Anonymous",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The great theologians from Paul and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augustine-to-g-c-berkouwer-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-great-theologians-from-paul-and-augustine-to-g-c-berkouwer-and/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
