Teemu Räty

“Although the diakonia of Jesus is unique, only he is the Saviour of the world, the diakonia of the church is performed ‘in Christ’, empowered by the gifts of his diaconal presence in the church. But Christ’s presence in the world cannot be limited to the church. As the deacon of the world, Christ is present where people suffer and are victims of injustice and poverty, although hidden, as told in Matthew 25:31-46.”
― Stephanie Dietrich, Diakonia as Christian Social Practice: An Introduction

“In Moltmann’s understanding, diakonia is following Jesus, the Crucified, and in the horizon of the inbreaking Kingdom of God. Both references are fundamental in order to understand diakonia in its holistic meaning. To follow Jesus implies walking as he did, embracing the poor and the sick, and bringing them healing, salvation, hope and a future, as announced in his ‘manifesto’ in Luke 4:18-19. In”
― Stephanie Dietrich, Diakonia as Christian Social Practice: An Introduction

“diaconal action should consider the root causes of poverty and suffering; it should become more comprehensive, preventative and liberating. Or, as noted above: bold action as mediation and ‘go-between’. The growing acknowledgment of the political implication of diakonia contributed to the framing of the theme ‘prophetic diakonia’ which urged diaconal agencies to stand up against injustice, and promote the rights of the poor and marginalised.”
― Stephanie Dietrich, Diakonia as Christian Social Practice: An Introduction

“it nevertheless builds on a vision of the cosmological diaconate of Jesus, in the sense that his ministry as Servant and Lord has changed the course of the history of the world. Wendland holds together the concepts of διακονος and δουλος (slave), giving especial attention to the Christological hymn in Philippians 2:5-11 where Jesus is announced as the slave who was “obedient to death – even death on a cross” and thereby became the Saviour of the world.”
― Stephanie Dietrich, Diakonia as Christian Social Practice: An Introduction