Conversations with Barth on Preaching


Book Description

One of today’s greatest preacher-theologians engages one of the twentieth century's greatest teacher-theologians on the meaning of preaching.Readers of William H. Willimon’s many books have long found there the influence of Karl Barth, probably the most significant theologian of the twentieth century. In this new book Willimon explores that relationship explicitly by engaging Barth’s work on the pitfalls and problems, glories and grandeur of preaching the Word of God. The Swiss theologian, says the author, expressed one of the highest theologies of preaching of any of the great theologians of the church. Yet too much of Barth’s understanding of preaching lies buried in the Church Dogmatics and other, sometimes obscure, sources. Willimon brings this material to light, introducing the reader to Barth’s thought, not just on the meaning, but the practice of preaching as well.




The Early Preaching of Karl Barth


Book Description

Westminster John Knox Press is proud to present this special collection of fourteen of Karl Barth's World War I-era sermons--the only English language collection of Barth's sermons preached between 1917 and 1920 when he was a parish pastor in Safenwil, Switzerland. This volume offers a fascinating glimpse into Barth's interpretation of Scripture during a time of great historical significance. Renowned preacher William H. Willimon provides expert commentary on the theological and homiletical substance of each selection and points to the many ways in which Barth's early preaching can enrich the work of preachers today.




Preaching in Hitler's Shadow


Book Description

What did German preachers opposed to Hitler say in their Sunday sermons? When the truth of Christ could cost a pastor his life, what words encouraged and challenged him and his congregation? This book answers those questions. Preaching in Hitler's Shadow begins with a fascinating look at Christian life inside the Third Reich, giving readers a real sense of the danger that pastors faced every time they went into the pulpit. Dean Stroud pays special attention to the role that language played in the battle over the German soul, pointing out the use of Christian language in opposition to Nazi rhetoric. The second part of the book presents thirteen well-translated sermons by various select preachers, including Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Karl Barth, Rudolf Bultmann, and others not as well known but no less courageous. A running commentary offers cultural and historical insights, and each sermon is preceded by a short biography of the preacher.




Wiley Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth


Book Description

The most comprehensive scholarly survey of Karl Barth’s theology ever published Karl Barth, arguably the most influential theologian of the 20th century, is widely considered one of the greatest thinkers within the history of the Christian tradition. Readers of Karl Barth often find his work both familiar and strange: the questions he considers are the same as those Christian theologians have debated for centuries, but he often addresses these questions in new and surprising ways. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth helps readers understand Barth’s theology and his place in the Christian tradition through a new lens. Covering nearly every topic related to Barth’s life and thought, this work spans two volumes, comprising 66 in-depth chapters written by leading experts in the field. Volume One explores Barth’s dogmatic theology in relation to traditional Christian theology, provides historical timelines of Barth’s life and works, and discusses his significance and influence. Volume Two examines Barth’s relationship to various figures, movements, traditions, religions, and events, while placing his thought in its theological, ecumenical, and historical context. This groundbreaking work: Places Barth into context with major figures in the history of Christian thought, presenting a critical dialogue between them Features contributions from a diverse team of scholars, each of whom are experts in the subject Provides new readers of Barth with an introduction to the most important questions, themes, and ideas in Barth’s work Offers experienced readers fresh insights and interpretations that enrich their scholarship Edited by established scholars with expertise on Barth’s life, his theology, and his significance in Christian tradition An important contribution to the field of Barth scholarship, the Wiley Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth is an indispensable resource for scholars and students interested in the work of Karl Barth, modern theology, or systematic theology.




A Unique Time of God


Book Description

World War I changed Karl Barth's theology forever. In this book William Klempa presents for the first time in English thirteen sermons that offer Barth's unique view and commentary on the Great War. Barth saw the war as “a unique time of God,†believing it to represent God's judgment on militarism. The sermons reveal a deep strain of theological wrestling with the war's meaning, as Barth comes to see the conflict as the logical outcome of all human attempts to create God in our own image. As it demonstrates a decisive shift in Barth's early theology, this volume is essential for anyone who wishes to understand the twentieth century's greatest theologian.




An Explorer's Guide to Karl Barth


Book Description

If ever a theologian required a guidebook, it would be Karl Barth. David Guretzki has gathered numerous hints and notes throughout decades of study for how best to explore the writings of the Swiss theologian. This handy, accessible guide offers a brief snapshot of the key texts, terms, and ideas that any new reader of Barth's work need to know.




The Word in this World


Book Description

This volume contains two sermons by the early twentieth-century theologian and pastor Karl Barth. The first sermon, given upon the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, appears in print here for the first time ever. The second sermon, given in 1934 during Nazi ascendancy, appears for the first time in English translation. With a substantial introduction by Bishop William H. Willimon, this volume is an indispensable resource not only for Barth scholars, but also for anyone concerned with the presence of the Word in this world.




Prayer and Preaching


Book Description

In a Preface, Professor James S. Stewart, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, writes: `This little book demonstrates wonderfully Barth's characteristic union of simplicity and profundity. Certainly there is in these pages a Word from the Lord for the revitalizing of the Church.' The book is based on two series of informal lectures, published in the USA as Prayer and The Preaching of the Gospel. The first series studied Christian prayer, and particularly the Lord's Prayer as interpreted by Luther and Calvin. The second series ventured into the field of practical theology, discussing the essential characteristics of preaching and how to prepare a sermon. Here one who is mighty in the pulpit shows preachers that they must trust in Scripture itself; and lays bare his own attitude to the humbling but possible task of proclaiming the Word of God. Even Christians not responsible for composing sermons are responsible for hearing God through them, and they, too, will be helped by these intimately vpiiitual pages. Specimen sermons ore added.




Karl Barth


Book Description

Christiane Tietz relates Karl Barth's fascinating life in conflict - conflict with the theological mainstream, against National Socialism, and privately, under one roof with his wife and his mistress, in conflict with himself




Karl Barth


Book Description

In the 1930s, Karl Barth was unquestionably the most discussed personality in the theological world of that time. This book was the first of its kind to be published in America, giving an adequate story of Barth's life, a complete outline of his teaching, and a careful estimate of the so-called "Barthian Movement." Dr. Pauck, of the Chicago Theological Seminary, was born and educated in Germany, and had studied under Barth. By training, personal relationship with Barth and his followers, and by a knowledge of practically everything that has been written by or about Barth, Dr. Pauck was preeminently fitted to write this book. Moreover, his American professorship allowed him to be more cognizant of the American mind, enabling him to explain Barth and his message to a puzzled, sometimes skeptical, American audience. The author pictures Barth in his early days as a minister of a Reformed Church in Geneva. Fresh from a seminary training in liberal theology, he finds that he is not assured of that authority with which he feels he has to speak of God to his people. He therefore attempts to retrieve the old Christian belief in a revelation of the divine. Opposing the orthodox dogma of supernaturalism as well as the modernist emphasis on the psychological approach to religion, he develops a theology of "divine realism." The challenging theology of Barthianism is presented historically, practically, and without prejudice. It not only confronts every minister, conservative or liberal, with the persistent question, "What do I think about Barth?" but also with the more personal question, "What do I now do in light of Barth's prophetic message?"