Karl Barth

This volume traces Barth's work from his rejection of theological liberalism and his rediscovery of the Bible, to his magnum opus, the Church Dogmatics.

This short volume, which emerged from the Karl Barth centenary year in 1986, brings together a collection of essays which makes an important contribution to Barth interpretation. Few would dispute the fact that Karl Barth is one of the great figures of twentieth-century theology, and two decades after his death he continues to fascinate those who study the field and his own thought in the magisterial, unfinished Church Dogmatics. Yet while his impact and influence upon modern theology has been great, Barth has been subject, too, to suspicion and sometimes to fierce opposition. The contributors to this book examine and refute some of the more simplistic reasons why the thought of Karl Barth has had a somewhat limited appeal in modern English-language theology. Writing form a variety of ecclesiastical persuasions, Reformed, Lutheran, Anglican and Roman Catholic, the authors seek to demonstrate at a fundamental level the continuing important of some of Barth's major concerns. Collectively the essays constitute a positive introduction to Barth, to his place in the history of the philosophy of religion, as a constructive theologian, as a Churchman and in specific relation to the modern history of English-language theology.

Karl Barth (1886-1968) studierte Theologie in Bern, Berlin, Tubingen, Marburg und war von 1909 bis 1921 Pfarrer in Genf und Safenwil. Mit seiner Auslegung des Romerbriefes (1919, 1922) begann eine neue Epoche der evangelischen Theologie. Dieses radikale Buch trug ihm einen Ruf als Honorarprofessor nach Gottingen ein, spater wurde er Ordinarius in Munster und Bonn. Er war Mitherausgeber von Zwischen den Zeiten (1923-1933), der Zeitschrift der Dialektischen Theologie. Karl Barth war der Autor der Barmer Theologischen Erklarung und Kopf des Widerstands gegen die Gleichschaltung der Kirchen durch den Nationalsozialismus. 1935 wurde Barth von der Bonner Universitat wegen Verweigerung des bedingungslosen Fuhrereids entlassen. Er bekam sofort eine Professur in Basel, blieb aber mit der Bekennenden Kirche in enger Verbindung. Sein Hauptwerk, Die Kirchliche Dogmatik, ist die bedeutendste systematisch-theologische Leistung des 20. Jahrhunderts.

These 18 sermons on the central themes of the Gospel were first published in 1961, with an introductory essay by Dr. John Marsh, Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford. 'Most of these sermons were in fact preached to inmates of Basel Prison, where the great theologian is a visitor. Wisdom, honesty, consideration and reverence shine through these pages' (Guardian). 'Here is evangelical preaching which has the surge and onward movement of a symphony. It should be read aloud, so that the tremendous force of the Scripture words, and the passion of the preacher, may be truly felt. This is power-this is grace' (Life and Work, the Record of the Church of Scotland). `Has won universal approval for its simplicity, humanity and devotion' (T. H. L. Parker in SPCK View Review, 1965).

One of the most important texts for understanding the early work of Karl Barth.

This book takes us behind prison bars--to hear powerful, simple, direct sermons by the man widely known as the twentieth century's most influential theologian. Originally delivered to inmates of the prison in Basel, Switzerland, these sermons shine with Karl Barth's thought and exaltation of the living Christ. Including sermons on the great feasts of the Christian year such as Christmas and Easter, Deliverance to the Captives offers new hope powerfully phrased, and a wide entry into the thought of a supreme theologian.

The Early Barth series spotlights the theological restlessness of a thinker on the cusp of reshaping twentieth-century Christian thought. Karl Barth was the most influential theologian of the twentieth century, and his work continues to inspire both fresh theological thinking and critical debate. The period covered by the volumes in the Early Barth series--1905 to 1933--saw Barth emerge from his training under such theological giants as Adolf von Harnack and Wilhelm Herrmann; assert his rejection of liberal Protestant theology in his towering commentary on Romans; and work through an earlier uncertainty to become a critic on theological grounds of the rise of Nazism. These volumes contain English translations of essays, lectures, academic papers, correspondences, editorials, and other writings that were not previously translated into English, and they provide insight into the development of Barth's theology during this crucial period of his life. Volume 2 of The Early Barth--Lectures and Shorter Works covers the period in Barth's career when he served as a pastor, first in Geneva and then in Safenwil, Swizerland, and up through the point where his theology takes a decisive turn in response to the outbreak of the First World War. It includes substantive footnotes offering historical context and comparative documents, as well as annotations at the beginning of each writing, providing background information that contextualizes the Barth piece, Barth's purpose for writing it, his approach and sources, its reception, and more. The works by Barth in this volume include: Reformation (1909) Review of E. Schrenk, Seelsorgerliche Briefe f r allerlei Leute (1909) Did Jesus Live? A Retrospective Easter Meditation (1910) Survey of Protestant Mission (1910) Biographical Sketches from the History of the Christian Religion (1910) Ideas and Thoughts on Philosophy of Religion (1910) Spittler, Christian Friedrich (1910) Stockmeyer, Immanuel (1910) The Christian Faith and History (1910) Something about the Church: Especially about the German Reformed Church in Geneva and What to Make of It (1910) Monsieur Tout le Monde (1910/11) Modern Pastoral Care and Its Psychological and Religious Foundations (1910/11) Gerhard Tersteegen Essay] (1910) God Disposes, but Humans Should Still Propose From Calvin's Institutes (1559) (1911) John Mott and the Student Christian Movement (1911) Novalis Essay] (1911) The Reemergence of Metaphysics in Theology (1911) Human Rights and Civic Duty (1911) Jesus Christ and the Social Movement (1911) Answer to the Open Letter of Mr. W. H ssy in Aarburg, W. H ssy, Open Letter to Mr. Karl Barth, Pastor in Safenwil Religion and Science (1912) Review of Karl Heim, Das Gewissheitsproblem in der systematischen Theologie bis zu Schleiermacher (1912) Objection regarding Military Aircraft (1913) Socrates (1913) The Workers' Question (1913/1914) Reformation in Bern (1913/14) Aargau Reformed Church Synod I] (1913) The Blessing of a Christian Home (1913) Gospel and Socialism (1914)