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Church Dogmatics #3.2
Church Dogmatics 3.2 The Doctrine of Creation
Described by Pope Pius XII as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas, the Swiss pastor and theologian, Karl Barth, continues to be a major influence on students, scholars and preachers today. Barth s theology found its expression mainly through his closely reasoned fourteen-part magnum opus, Die Kirchliche Dogmatik. Having taken over 30 years to write, the Church Dogmatics is regarded as one of the most important theological works of all time, and represents the pinnacle of Barth s achievement as a theologian. T&T Clark International is now proud to be publishing the only complete English translation of the Church Dogmatics in paperback.
688 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1948
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About the author
Karl Barth
453 books262 followersProtestant 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 13, 2018
Barth is a genius, but about 90% of this book seemed to be conjecture at least. For a theologian who was supposedly against basing theology on mere human philosophy and metaphysics, he sure loves to pontificate. It was all really interesting, but because it was so abstract, so interconnected with his whole system (that I’m not even close to signing up for), and so disconnected from concrete revelation (as I would define it, of course, as an evangelical), it pretty much amounts to nothing for me. I can say it’s interesting, shrug my shoulders, and concluded that *some* of it *might* be true.
I’m also still very confused about the final chapter.
I’m also still very confused about the final chapter.
January 19, 2019
Barth proposes a tightly knit structure for an anthropological philosophy. While this leads to some interesting propositions, the reader will find that they enjoy the book as long as they agree with the previous notions. As soon as they disagree with Barth, the rest of the system will not be as edifying.
Strengths: Christological in focus (Barth believed he was providing a Christological anthropology; I don't think that's entirely accurate, but Jesus was frequently addressed); COULD mesh with Scripture (he provides exegetical work but he includes it in his excurses which will probably be overlooked by many readers); great read for philosophically minded readers.
Weaknesses: Barth's writing style is difficult to read (repetitive; makes up terms; plays the pronoun game; tons of prepositions that make the reader slow down); Evangelical readers may not be swayed by his philosophy even after examining the exegetical work; Some ideas are strange and aren't provided the necessary argumentation.
All in all, I'm glad I read it. I'm sure some of the thoughts will last with me for some time, but I will have to take everything with a grain of salt. Most of the book, however, will leave me as quickly as it came. Most recommended for philosophy minded individuals interested in theology.
Strengths: Christological in focus (Barth believed he was providing a Christological anthropology; I don't think that's entirely accurate, but Jesus was frequently addressed); COULD mesh with Scripture (he provides exegetical work but he includes it in his excurses which will probably be overlooked by many readers); great read for philosophically minded readers.
Weaknesses: Barth's writing style is difficult to read (repetitive; makes up terms; plays the pronoun game; tons of prepositions that make the reader slow down); Evangelical readers may not be swayed by his philosophy even after examining the exegetical work; Some ideas are strange and aren't provided the necessary argumentation.
All in all, I'm glad I read it. I'm sure some of the thoughts will last with me for some time, but I will have to take everything with a grain of salt. Most of the book, however, will leave me as quickly as it came. Most recommended for philosophy minded individuals interested in theology.
March 19, 2012
Yet another phenomenal volume in Barth's Dogmatics. This volume continues Barth's discussion of creation, focusing in specifically on anthropology. He pursues the subject differently than most dogmaticians have. Most systematics understand that the doctrine of man is tied to the doctrine of Christ's humanity, but, as Barth points out, the traditional approach has been to treat the doctrine of man first in order to by it understand Christ's humanity.
Barth's approach is the opposite. He argues that Jesus is the only real man we know of. All other men are fallen and therefore not truly real man. Therefore, if we're going to understand humanity it makes no sense to look at fallen man first. Instead we can only understand humanity by looking first at real man as found in the humanity of Jesus.
That's not to say that the volume collapses into Christology, leaving a proper discussion of anthropology relegated to the background. On the contrary, this volume is a discussion of anthropology through and through with Christology merely being the lens that discipline is understood through.
Barth's treatment of man as God's covenant partner is especially exhilarating as is the discussion of man's temporality.
Barth's approach is the opposite. He argues that Jesus is the only real man we know of. All other men are fallen and therefore not truly real man. Therefore, if we're going to understand humanity it makes no sense to look at fallen man first. Instead we can only understand humanity by looking first at real man as found in the humanity of Jesus.
That's not to say that the volume collapses into Christology, leaving a proper discussion of anthropology relegated to the background. On the contrary, this volume is a discussion of anthropology through and through with Christology merely being the lens that discipline is understood through.
Barth's treatment of man as God's covenant partner is especially exhilarating as is the discussion of man's temporality.
April 2, 2015
The best volume so far.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews