God helps justice and love

Theologian Karl Barth was born May 10 in 1886 in Basel, Switzerland. Here’s what he wrote in 1914 at the start of World War I, just as timely in 2025: 

“It is simply out of the question that God ‘helps’ the Germans or the French or the English. God does not even ‘help’ us Swiss. God helps justice and love. God helps the kingdom of heaven, and that exists across all national boundaries…

The foolish mixing of patriotism, war enthusiasm, and Christian faith could one day lead to the bitterest disappointment…We will not join in drinking this intoxicating potion. 

We want to look steadfastly and unwaveringly here to God, who loves everyone equally, who is above all the nations, from whom all have similarly departed, and from whose glory they have fallen short.”

Thanks to Ken Kovacs for the reminder.