Kirjahaku

The authorized biography of the most important Protestant theologian of the twentieth century.

Karl Barth (1886-1968) was without doubt the most influential Protestant theologian of the 20th century. He stood up to Nazism and presented a new theological vision in his multi-volume Church Dogmatics. Eberhard Busch worked as Barth's personal assistant from 1965 until Barth's death in 1968. During those years, Busch visited Barth and his family every day in their Basel home, making notes of his visits and conversations as well as protocols of Barth's seminars. Barth had decided not to write an autobiography but shared many thoughts and memories with Busch to preserve them for the future. Thus Busch's diary becomes a unique and fascinating document, lively and funny, with a gem on almost every page. The whole world of the 1960s comes to life, as tales include Barth's visit to the Vatican, his reactions to Vatican II and the many visitors he received at the Basel home.

In 1934 Christian churches in Germany faced strong pressure to conform their belief and practice to the pillars of Nazi thinking -- respect for the authority of the Fuhrer and fervent devotion to the history and culture of the German race. Defying this ideological agenda, leaders in the German Evangelical Church responded by adopting the Barmen Declaration. This bold statement of dissent, grounded in the authority of Scripture, has since become a powerful model for the contemporary confession of the Christian faith against modern forms of skepticism and unbelief. In The Barmen Theses Then and Now Eberhard Busch demonstrates to a new generation how that key German confession during a specific time of crisis can guide Christians everywhere today. He interprets each of the six theses in its original context -- Nazi Germany -- and then applies it to crucial cultural and political challenges facing Christianity in our time.

Widely regarded as the twentieth century's greatest theologian, Karth Barth refocused the task of Christian theology and demonstrated its relevance to every domain of human life, from the spiritual to the social to the political. It is precisely the broad sweep of Barth's theology that makes a book like The Great Passion of such great value -- a succinct yet comprehensive introduction to Barth's entire theological program. Of the many people who write on the life and thought of Karl Barth, Eberhard Busch is uniquely placed. A world-renowned expert on Barth's theology, he also served as Barth's personal assistant from 1965 to 1968. As Busch explains, one cannot fully understand Barth the theologian apart from understanding Barth the man. In this book he weaves doctrine and biography into a superb presentation of Barth's complete work. Busch's purpose in this introduction is to guide readers through the main themes of the multivolume Church Dogmatics against the horizon of our own times and problems. In ten sections Busch clearly explains Barth's views on all of the major subject areas of systematic theology: the nature of revelation, Israel and Christology, the Trinity and the doctrine of predestination, the -problem- of religion, gospel and law, creation, salvation, the Holy Spirit, ecclesiology, and eschatology. A distinctive feature of the book is the way Busch lets Barth speak for himself, often through surprising quotations and paraphrases. Busch also shows how Barth's writing should be read as a dialogue, constantly and consciously engaging other voices past and present, both inside and outside the church. Most important, The Great Passion demonstrates that Barth's thought is still remarkably helpful today.

'Karl Barth' is an unparalleled accomplishment. An authentic church father of the Post-Reformation era, the Basel professor's contributions to theology, the life of the church, and the world of culture and politics have been frequently noted. This work, however, presents extraordinary new information and insight based on his own correspondence and notes. What one finds in this work is Barth's own running commentary on events and people - from 1886 to 1968. Everything is depicted from his perspective and chiefly in his own words, and this is precisely what makes the volume so fascinating and valuable. The brilliance, wit, and humanity of Barth shine through everywhere as he is seen as son, brother, student, editor, friend, pastor, husband, father, soldier, teacher, theologian, church leader, political critic, polemicist, ecumenist, author, preacher, music lover, senior citizen. The gigantic theologian is here, but - even more - the man shines through. An abundance of pictures accompanies the text - most of them to be seen for the first time. The contents of this book are new and of utmost interest and importance. Readers not familiar with the accomplishment of Karl Barth will learn to know both the man and his thought. Specialists will for the first time discern the figure behind the intellect. All who propose to understand the story of the twentieth century will be illumined by this book. Eberhard Busch is professor of systematic theology at the University of Goettingen in Germany.

Eberhard Buschs grosse Biographie ist nicht nur eine gut lesbare Darstellung des Lebens von Karl Barth, sondern auch eine Einfuhrung in dessen umfangreiches Werk. Nachdem es seit einiger Zeit vergriffen war, ist es nun beim TVZ in unverandertem Nachdruck wieder erhaltlich. a fur alle wissenschaftliche Beschaftigung mit Leben und Werk Barths nicht nur unentbehrlich, sondern von gar nicht hoch genug zu veranschlagender Bedeutung. a Die] Auswahl der Texte ist so ausgewogen, dass nun wirklich niemand mehr auf einen so oder so praparierten Barth hereinfallen kann. Eberhard Jungel Das vorzugliche Buch uber Karl Barth habe ich mit grosser Freude uber die lebendige Schilderung seines Lebens gelesen. Gustav Heinemann. a bleibt festzustellen, dass heute kaum eine andere Publikation so viel Stoff zur Lebensgeschichte Karl Barths und zur Selbstdeutung des Theologen enthalt wie die Arbeit Eberhard Buschs. Neue Zurcher Zeitung Bisherige Barth-Biographien werden von diesem a Buch nicht nur durch dessen weit grossere Ausfuhrlichkeit in den Schatten gestellt. Jetzt wurde der Nachlass herangezogen und die Familie hat, ohne sich zu schonen, ihren Beitrag geleistet. Evangelische Kommentare Eberhard Busch, Jahrgang 1937, studierte Theologie und war von 1965 bis 1968 als Assistent von Karl Barth tatig. Spater arbeitete er als Pfarrer in Uerkheim, Aargau, und als Professor fur Reformierte Theologie in Gottingen.