Homiletics

by Karl Barth

In this complete and valuable version of his Homiletics , renowned theologian Karl Barth's offers his thoughts on sermon preparation, including his understanding of the way in which the preacher should interpret scripture. Translated by Donald E. Daniels and renowned Barth translator Geoffrey W. Bromiley, this book presents lecture materials from seminars in Bonn from 1932 to 1933.

Genres: Theology

140 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

About the author

Protestant theologian Karl Barth, a Swiss, advocated a return to the principles of the Reformation and the teachings of the Bible; his published works include Church Dogmatics from 1932.

Critics hold Karl Barth among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important since Saint Thomas Aquinas. Beginning with his experience as a pastor, he rejected his typical predominant liberal, especially German training of 19th century.

Instead, he embarked on a new path, initially called dialectical, due to its stress on the paradoxical nature of divine truth—for instance, God is both grace and judgment), but more accurately called a of the Word. Critics referred to this father of new orthodoxy, a pejorative term that he emphatically rejected. His thought emphasized the sovereignty of God, particularly through his innovative doctrine of election. His enormously influenced throughout Europe and America.

Reviews

[John Dube · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I disagree with Barth on a number of things (e.g., doctrine of Scripture), I can appreciate his view and methodology of preaching. He is very concerned that preachers stay close to the text and avoid vain discussions (even suggesting that introductions and conclusions be removed). Also, those looking for a more practical resource, will not find it here, as this is more of a philosophy of preaching/homiletics. Three stars as Barth gives few examples of his methodology at work.

[Christian Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good snippets, interesting observations and suggestions, but overly simplistic at times: “The preacher had only to repeat what the text says—and this is one thing. The one thing is the Word of God. It is Jesus Christ. We ourselves cannot produce this or contribute to it. We can only best witness to it, to the one thing which is the corpus of the text.”

[Marilyn Diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

We as a Seminary class found this a hard read. Perhaps because we are in 2017 and this book was written well... it's formal and for elders. We did get a "A" for a open book final..

[Brother Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and short book that will change my views on preaching— both from the perspective as a congregant and as someone who preaches occassionally— forever.

It is refreshing to read someone who has such a high view of the agency of God in the church and also the effectiveness of Scripture. Barth doesn't think an intro or conclusion or 'free praying' or quotes (unless warranted) should make it into the sermon because it can detract from the exposition of the Scriptures. He also thinks that people don't need to be "primed" to hear God's Word because it assumes that "God needs help". Rather, Barth argues strongly that the preacher's main job is simply to attempt to preach God's Word with conviction and allow God to do the rest of the work in the hearts of men.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Karl Barth is always a task. That being said it is always an enjoyable task. Rather than his in-depth theological and biblical exposition, this brief volume is more of a tools of the trade. It conveys tips and tricks (wrong word) for biblical exposition. He reviews some well known preachers in a time where historical criticism reigned and true biblical exposition is rare. Though brief it is dense and may need to be read and re read in small doses. Still, an essential tool!

[Caleb Rolling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enormously rich theology of preaching. It reveals how theologically anemic many contemporary homiletic introductions are. Now, some of Barth’s practical tips aren’t necessarily the wisest, though the principle behind these suggestions—such as his advice to avoid introductions or conclusions in sermons—is more or less sound. This is a highly accessible introduction, and its emphases would aid contemporary preaching greatly.

[Dane Jöhannsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Barth's better works. Though his doctrine of Scripture is wrong, he rightly sees the weight of its proclamation in preaching and holds much more closely to the historic reformed view of this means of grace than you might think.

[Joshua Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good. It is also very extreme, e.g. in its flat assertion that "basically a sermon should have no introduction." Barth made respectable all of my hatreds of sermons. I assume this was not his intent.

[Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot go all the way with Barth and his doctrine of revelation, but this work on preaching advocates a biblical mode of preaching with an expectancy for Christ to work in the lives of people during the event. How can you not like that?