All things that have been tried for the sake of renewal…in these decisive times, whether by individuals or groups, all the new goals that have been presented, all the new life-styles that have been tried, all the faith, hope, and love that have been advocated, all the justice and grace that have been proclaimed–let’s admit it openly: little or nothing has come of any of them. Politicians, priests, and intellectuals have closed their ears and hardened their hearts, and the masses, following their wild and stupid instincts, have allowed themselves to be moved by the slogans of the demagogues as if they had never heard a thing about the word of God concerning judgment and salvation. The leaves and blossoms have fallen from the tree of our hope, and who knows but that one day a catastrophic lightning will strike the trunk also. Our people have abundantly–superabundantly–earned this day of judgment.
So, what now then? Shall we take our hand from the plow? Shall we give up? No, for a remnant will remain. Of that we may be sure. Blossoms and leaves may wither; many, very many of our efforts may appear to be peripheral and temporary. Indeed, the trunk may appear to be peripheral and temporary. Indeed, the trunk may be destroyed. The historical catastrophe may wipe out our land, a catastrophe that the politicians, journalists, priests and false prophets, business magnates, men of letters, intellectuals, as well as the deluded masses will “draw with cords” (this, too, is a prophetic picture! [see Isa. 5:18]). Nevertheless, the holy trunk will remain. What our hearts have fertilized with their blood will remain. The tree will grow up again in due time, more beautiful, more glorious that we have hoped…This is the power of resurrection through which she will arise from the catastrophe. Therefore, let us continue to work in confidence in the midst of all disappointments, all failures, all misery; let us work ever more faithfully, ever more genuinely, ever more determinedly, cleansed again and again by the fire of God’s judgment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, will be done in vain. A remnant will remain, and in this remnant will be preserved everything that we have done with God’s help–yes, everything that we have done merely out of our weak hearts and with our dull minds, so long as we have done it in faithfulness. It may be diminished in size, but it will be purified, blessed, and sanctified.
Leonhard Ragatz in Signs of the Kingdom: A Ragatz Reader, 69-79 (1929)