Learning Jesus Christ through the Heidelberg Catechism

by Karl Barth, Shirley C. Guthrie Jr. (Translator)

The Heidelberg Catechism does not represent a different theological orientation... here the Reformed Church confesses the good news of Jesus Christ in. a joyful, thankful, free, personal way . . . Barth has caught this spirit in his commentary. To read it is to become acquainted with a side of Reformed Protestantism which all too often has remained hidden. - from the Preface The two short studies by renowned theologian Karl Barth included here were first published in 1964, the 400th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism--a classical document of the Reformation Period. Students, ministers, laypersons, and theologians continue to find these essays helpful, for they provide not only an introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism, but also a brief, systematic presentation of Reformed theology in the 16th century and a glimpse of Barth's own theology on the 20th century. The first essay, Christian Doctrine According to the Heidelberg Catechism, is a question by question interpretation, commentary, and evaluation of the catechism. Introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism, the second essay, examines the three basic questions of the Who is the Comforter? Who is comforted? and How is comfort given and in what does it consist?

Genres: Theology

142 pages, Paperback

First published September 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

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Barth's best. I guess I expected dynamite since this was Barth AND the Heidelberg Catechism. However, much of this felt like an imposition of Barth upon the text itself. There are some wonderful and profound passages, but the middle chunk is lackluster for Barth.

[Justin M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read covering a little history and explanation of the catechism. A little dense at points, but overall understandable.

[Patrick]

My edition is actually called "The Heidelberg Catechism for Today", but I'm pretty sure it's the same book, although possibly a different translation. The book itself is simply a collection of two different sets of lecture notes based on lectures Barth gave on the Heidelberg catechism. The first is more expository, the second is more topical. I was surprised how in both he did not talk a whole lot about the whole law/gratitude sections. I'm starting to wonder if that's typical of Barth. He seems more interested in metaphysics than ethics, I guess you could say, perhaps.

Anyway, this book is very interesting from a perspective of trying to understand Barth better. It's not, however, necessarily the best way to learn about the Heidelberg Catechism. In this way, it's similar to "Dogmatics in Outline" which is similarly taken from Barth's lectures on the Apostle's Creed. Their both interesting books, and there's definitely valuable stuff in them, but at the same time I can see why neither are best sellers. Books like these based on lecture notes don't usually make for the best reading. It is an interesting way to see some of the peculiar and/or interesting way Barth looked at theology, though.