In 1934, during the Nazi regime in Germany, members of the Confessing Church issued the Declaration of Barmen, which reaffirmed their primary loyalty to the word of God. With their action, they established a legacy for future generations to follow in similar situations.This volume examines the historical, political, and theological context of the creation of the Barmen Declaration, as it constituted an act of theological and political resistance against tyranny, terror, and fascism. The work of the Barmen Declaration demonstrated clearly and powerfully the "this-worldly" ethical and political salience of religion and theology to empower witness, resistance, and solidarity. Containing contributions from an inclusive array of renowned scholars, the volume unfolds the lasting legacy and continued relevance of Barmen.
"Frank Jehle has accomplished the feat of writing a short, precise introduction to Karl Barth the theologian in relation to the world of politics. In Jehle we have a clear and helpful interpreter who shows, rightly, Barth swimming ever against the stream." Eberhard Busch "In this thorough study Jehle analyzes Barth's political views from the beginning of his career until the day before his death. This comprehensive approach clearly demonstrates how Barth, despite his unpredictability in the political realm, was remarkably consistent and faithful to his conviction that the justice and grace of God must inform all our political utterances and actions. Ultimately, what emerges from this fine study is a portrait of a courageous political thinker who never hesitated to challenge prevailing views and who strove to join the spiritual and the political." John Hesselink Western Theological Seminary "Ever against the Stream is an engaging narrative that chronicles Barth's involvement in the political realm, whether advocating for the workers in his congregation, speaking against National Socialism in Germany and in Switzerland, or taking a more subdued public posture toward communism. Drawing from his many speeches and letters, the book presents a nuanced and sympathetic appraisal of Barth's positions throughout his life and within the context of his theological framework. His failure at first to perceive dangers inherent in communism is balanced by his forward-looking perception of dangers within National Socialism and within the quietism of his fellow Swiss citizens during that time. He was often silenced. Barth made enemies among those in the church who wanted to turn the state into an absolute. But he called for Christians to be engaged in the world nonetheless, and he lived out such an existence. Frank Jehle's narrative is riveting, his observations carefully stated, and he responds to those who wrote Barth off as a troublemaker or out of touch. Jehle also goes to great pains to show how Barth's positions were caricatured and then rejected or taken out of context, possibly because his observations were so accurate. The little side trips into Barth's personal interactions with other key figures of his day are fascinating, enlightening, and fitting." Thomas Trapp Concordia University
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.
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.
We know Jesus the Savior, but have we met Jesus, Prince of Peace? When did we accept vengeance as an acceptable part of the Christian life? How did violence and power seep into our understanding of faith and grace? For those troubled by this trend toward the sword, perhaps there is a better way. What if the message of Jesus differs radically differs from the drumbeats of war we hear all around us? Using his own journey from war crier to peacemaker and his in-depth study of peace in the scriptures, author and pastor Brian Zahnd reintroduces us to the gospel of Peace.
Examine a collection of Karl Barth’s shorter works, written after the first publication of his Epistle to the Romans, during his time as professor in Göttingen and Münster, in the wake of World War I.
Barths essays, written between 1933 and 1939, offer insight into what happened to the church in Germany at the beginning of the century when the government sought to nationalize religion.
This book closely examines the turmoil in the German Protestant churches in the immediate postwar years as they attempted to come to terms with the recent past. Reeling from the impact of war, the churches addressed the consequences of cooperation with the regime and the treatment of Jews. In Germany, the Protestant Church consisted of 28 autonomous regional churches. During the Nazi years, these churches formed into various alliances. One group, the German Christian Church, openly aligned itself with the Nazis. The rest were cautiously opposed to the regime or tried to remain noncommittal. The internal debates, however, involved every group and centered on issues of belief that were important to all. Important theologians such as Karl Barth were instrumental in pressing these issues forward. While not an exhaustive study of Protestantism during the Nazi years, A Church Divided breaks new ground in the discussion of responsibility, guilt, and the Nazi past.
In 1933, the very year Hitler came to power in Germany, Karl Barth wrote Theological Existence To-Day! to take his stand against state control of the German church. Many believe this book began the fateful struggle for a Confessing Church. -James W. M. McClendon Jr.
