Ethics

by Karl Barth

Lectures examine the foundations of Christian ethics, and look at life, law, and the promise of God in terms of modern ethical problems

534 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1981

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

[W. Littlejohn]

Didn't read the whole thing, alas...just a couple chapters for class. Excellent stuff, though.

[Steph Kate Judd]

Ooft. That was tough going.