The best theology would need no advocates; it would prove itself

The best theology would need no advocates; it would prove itself

Karl Barth, a renowned Swiss theologian, is often associated with the idea that the best theology would need no advocates; it would prove itself. This concept reflects Barth's belief in the inherent truth and power of theology to speak for itself, without the need for human intervention or persuasion.

Barth's theology is characterized by its emphasis on the sovereignty of God and the revelation of God through Jesus Christ. He believed that theology should be rooted in the Word of God and should seek to understand and interpret God's self-revelation in Jesus Christ. For Barth, theology was not a human construct or invention, but a response to the divine initiative of God's revelation.