Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics for Everyone, Volume 1---The Doctrine of the Word of God

A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners and Pros

Marty Folsom

• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Year: 2022
• ISBN:
  9780310125686
• Topic: Théologie et religion
• Subtopic: Théologie chrétienne

A Guided Tour of One of the Greatest Theological Works of the Twentieth Century

Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics is considered by many to be the most important theological work of the twentieth century and for many people reading it, or at least understanding its contents and arguments, is a lifelong goal. Yet its enormous size, at over 12, 000 pages (in English translations) and enough print volumes to fill an entire shelf, make reading it a daunting prospect for seasoned theologians and novices alike.

Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics for Everyone, Volume 1--The Doctrine of the Word of God helps bridge the gap for would-be Karl Barth readers from beginners to professionals by offering an introduction to Barth's theology and thought like no other. User-friendly and creative, this guide helps readers get the gist, significance, and relevance of what Barth intended for the church... to restore the focus of theology and revitalize the practices of the church.

Each section contains insights for pastors, new theologians, professionals, and ordinary people including:

• Summaries of the section
• Contextual considerations
• And other visually informative features that reinforce the main points of the Barth's thought

In addition, each volume features the voices of authors from different academic disciplines who contribute brief reflections on the value of Church Dogmatics for creative discovery in their disciplines. Volume 1 reflections include:

• Douglas Campbell (biblical studies)
• Myk Habets (systematic theology)
• Richard Keith (pastors)
• Julie Canlis (ordinary people)
• James Chaousis (mental health)
• John Vissers (spiritual formation)

Whether you are just discovering Barth or want a fresh look at his magnum opus, this series invites you to an enjoyable and insightful journey into the Church Dogmatics.

PART 1

GETTING THE
CHURCH DOGMATICS
IN FOCUS

CHAPTER 1

THE VIEW FROM
OUTER SPACE

FOCUS STATEMENT: This chapter introduces the simplicity of the CD in one word—Jesus. Think of seeing the CD from a space station. What is its outstanding feature? This point of view is rare and majestic in its simplicity and reveals what is important.

INTRODUCTION: Yes, we want to begin by hearing an overview of the CD in one word. It is the big picture in a single, infinitely rich Word—Jesus. We are taking a single glance at a vast and deep subject, seeking the clarity that comes when seeing an immense thing, like Earth, from a distance. Except what we see in the CD is a person.

CONTEXT: The whole of the Church Dogmatics consists of four volumes, divided into thirteen books (fourteen including the posthumously published fragment), outlined into seventeen chapters, expressed in seventy-eight paragraphs (including the unpublished fragment), translated onto 8,353 pages, and detailed in some 6,000,000 words in the English text.¹

Relationship: This is the purpose for which God chooses to connect with humanity in a restorative relation, and that purpose is embodied in the name and life of this person who comes to restore relationship with His creation.

TEXT: Jesus

SUMMARY: The meaning of the whole of the CD in one word, or Word—Jesus—as we shall come to see, is an expansive encounter with this one person.

COMMENTARY: The life of the church consists in hearing and knowing Jesus and living in response.

Even in this one word we see that we are focused on:

• The personal. We have the name of a person.

• The particular. We are paying attention to one specific person’s name.

• Intent. The name Jesus means “God saves,” and this already reveals what He is up to.

• The God-human story. In the name of this person, we are met by the God who initiates and completes reconciliation in this story of saving and restoring.

• Relationship. This is a purpose for which God chooses to connect with humanity in a restorative relation and that purpose is embodied in the name and life of this person who comes to restore relationship with His creation.

• History. This name is the Greek translation of a Hebrew name, Yeshua, embodying the story of God’s saving history with Israel.

• The end goal of unity between God and humanity. This one person, Jesus, is both the God who saves and the human in whom saving is completed for all humanity.

CONCLUSION FOR THE CHURCH: The Church has one focus. To be the Church, we focus on Him alone. But Jesus also opens up the world of knowing God and ourselves. Notice what I did not choose as the one-word summary:

• God. A generic category that people fill in, to fit their own liking. This is an abstract term that misses the point in letting God be known.

• Salvation. A focus on God’s benefit to humanity, which starts in the wrong place.

INSIGHT FOR PASTORS: The CD is about the person who is the touchstone for God and humanity to meet. All discussion will be grounded in His life and activity. All preaching is intended as an echo of His voice. Preaching that intends to make better Christians or a better community outside of Jesus will be missing the point of theology for the Church.

INSIGHT FOR THEOLOGIANS: Theology must begin by listening to God. Theology proceeds by listening to Jesus’ articulation of all He embodies as God and human, providing a proper context and content for theological discussion. Later, we will see that this excludes all forms of trying to know God outside God’s self-revelation.

CLARIFYING QUESTIONS: Does your theology aim at knowing Jesus or knowing about Jesus? Is Jesus a person to be engaged or an object of study? Further yet, is Jesus dispensable from our theology?

NOTES

1. David Guretzki, An Explorer’s Guide to Karl Barth (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2016), 145.

CHAPTER 2

THE VIEW FROM
EARTH’S ORBIT

FOCUS STATEMENT: The point of this chapter is to capture the CD in one phrase. As we enter Earth’s orbit, we become aware of the shape and contours of this orb in front of us. With an enveloping glance, we begin to recognize an outline of land and water—the first glimpse of Earth’s character.

INTRODUCTION: Jesus is revealed as God. Jesus uniquely shows us God, not at a distance, but with us and for us. From our simple vantage point, we begin to discern simple outlines and to distinguish discernable parts in relation to each other—to see God in relation to humanity.

TEXT: Jesus Christ, the Lordly Servant, God for and with Humanity

SUMMARY:

All theological thinking arises from what is known in Jesus.

Jesus acts to reveal both true God and true huma...