William Sloane Coffin
William Sloane Coffin
William Sloane Coffin Jr. was an American Christian clergyman and peace activist. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. In his younger days he was an athlete, a talented pianist, a CIA officer, and later chaplain of Yale University, where the influence of H. Richard Niebuhr's social philosophy led him to become a leader
"God is love," as Scripture says, and that means the revelation is in the relationship. "God is love" means God is known devotionally, not dogmatically. "God is love" does not clear up old mysteries; it discloses new mystery. "God is love" is not a truth we can master; it is only one to which we can surrender. Faith is being grasped by the power of love."
"Of Gods love we can say two things: it is poured out universally for everyone from the Pope to the loneliest wino on the planet; and secondly, Gods love doesnt seek value, it creates value. It is not because we have value that we are loved, but because we are loved that we have value. Our value is a gift, not an achievement."
"It is often said that the Church is a crutch. Of course its a crutch. What makes you think you dont limp?"
"I love the recklessness of faith. First you leap and then you grow wings."
