Church Dogmatics

by Karl Barth, G. Bromiley (Editor), T. Torrance (Editor)

“The treatment is monumental and enormously stimulating. . . . The range of Barth’s reading in the field of theology is colossal, and his summaries of the history of many doctrines and controversies are of first-rate importance. . . . An outstanding achievement.”
—London Quarterly and Holborn Review

One of the most important theological works ever written, Barth’s magnum opus is essential for serious students of Christian doctrine. Now this closely reasoned masterpiece of brilliant insight into the work and attributes of God, creation, Jesus, and the Christian life is available in a handsome hardcover set. The 14 volumes of this omnibus collection

THE DOCTRINE OF THE WORD OF GOD
I.1 Doctrine of the Word of God
I.2 Revelation of God

THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
II.1 Knowledge of God
II.2 Election of God

THE DOCTRINE OF CREATION
III.1 Work of Creation
III.2 The Creature
III.3 Creator and Creature
III.4 The Command of God

THE DOCTRINE OF RECONCILIATION
IV.1 Doctrine of Reconciliation
IV.2 Jesus Christ, Servant and Lord
IV.3.1 Jesus Christ, the True Witness
IV.3.2 Jesus Christ, the True Witness
IV.4 The Christian Life

INDEX
V. Index with Aids for the Preacher (Including short paragraph descriptions of each section; Scripture, name, and subject indices; and weekly sermon ideas with Scriptures for the church year)

Barth’s “canon of conviction” is evangelical because it is God-centered—stressing God’s encounter with man rather than man’s discovery of God; and its object, source, and norm is the transcendent God of the gospel. Church Dogmatics reveals Barth’s fully developed theology, and his writings continue to instruct and guide preachers, teachers, students, congregations, and laypeople worldwide today.
 

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Church History, Philosophy, Nonfiction

503 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 1984

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

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might be 'Currently Reading It' for a little while.

[G Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yummm.... Take the time to read this set - it WILL pay dividends in the end. Many people hate Barth... I get that, his "affair" with his secretary, his "liberalism" (whatever that really wound up meaning), yada yada yada... but usually, they have only superficially engaged him, by reading books about him or only reading "scandalous" selections from his work. Even if the guy was a jerk (and I am not sure that he was, at least not any more so than you or I), have you read him? Really? He's written a lot, have you read enough to be able to somewhat fairly evaluate his broader corpus? Much of what he writes is indeed scandalous... other parts of it are even "silly"... Yet, overall, when I read Barth, I find someone who was enamored with the perichoretic Trinitarian life and who deeply loved Christ and his church. When I read him, even when I disagree with him (which s quite often) I still find myself drawn to praising our Creator God. Which is more, much more, than I can say for his conservative critics. Most of the (not all of them) are sterile, self-righteous and lack a genuine display of love for their fellow sheep.

[Kara Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most important work of theology since...hmm...when? Volume IV.1 (Reconciliation) is theologically crucial (no pun intended), and is fantastic for devotional reading too - especially in Lent. Try it! And, I'll repeat what many others have probably said or heard others say: don't 'cheat' by reading Dogmatics in Outline. It is not the same. The way that Barth circles around to the same core ideas, with variations or expansions each time, is part of the method - like listening to Mozart, it is familiar but always new and stunning.

[Stephen Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics has been a monumental event for me. Nearly three years ago I began reading out of curiosity, and that curiosity quickly became complete fascination. It will take a lifetime to fully understand everything in these dense pages, but what I have grasped I have found simply brilliant. I did not agree with every word, but I can say I'll never be the same, either in my faith or my theology, after finishing this masterpiece. I'm convinced Barth is one of the most important theologians for the Church today, someone every Christian should read with at least some level of interest.

My favorite volume remains the first volume I read (and have since re-read a few times over!), volume IV/1. I'd also include II/2, II/1, I/1, and IV/2-3 as the other life-changing volumes for me. I know I'll be returning to them often!

[Josh Shelton]

I hope this series gets easier! On page 60, and this joker is all work.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read 1994-1997 while in college. At the time I was flirting with Barth's theology. There is so much that could be said about these 14 volumes but I want to keep this susinct. I don't agree with some of Barth's conclusions, but his place in history and his influence in modern theology is huge... so it must be read by those like myself who are not Barthian. Carve out a few years for this one.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very difficult book for me to read. It was a long book in which almost every sentence challenged my comprehension. I did not enjoy reading it, but learned a lot of historical theology and theological viewpoints from it.

[Richard George · Rating 5 out of 5]

No I haven't read this really! Well, I've studied carefully BITS of it. Try it if you dare. A War and Peace of the theological world. Barth: the first post-modern theologian.

[Andrew Attaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost done with Vol.1:1.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theology all the way. Intense, challenging reading, but very insightful. Am reading in pieces as topics arise.

[Travis Armes]

IV/1, 79-154, IV/2, 20-378