Achievement Quote by Karl Barth
“Faith is not an art. Faith is not an achievement. Faith is not a good work of which some may boast while others can excuse themselves with a shrug of the shoulders for not being capable of it. It is a decisive insight of faith itself that all of us are incapable of faith in ourselves, whether we think of its preparation, beginning, continuation, or completion. In this respect believers understand unbelievers, skeptics, and atheists better than they understand themselves. Unlike unbelievers, they regard the impossibility of faith as necessary, not accidental ...”
About This Quote
Source Book: Church Dogmatics, Volume I, Karl Barth, 1932
Faith is presented as an inherent human limitation, not a skill to be mastered, highlighting humility and the paradox of belief.
In simple terms: Faith is a human limit, not a skill.
Key Takeaway
Accept faith’s limits, seek humility.
Themes
humility
faith
paradox
human limitation
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- spiritual counseling
- interfaith dialogue
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
theology
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile personal doubt with communal belief?
- What role does humility play in faith?
A Different Perspective
Faith cannot be forced; it may feel inaccessible to many.
