I actually prefer this work of Barth to his later Church Dogmatics. This is full of the energy and vigour of a man who has just found a pearl of great prize. Praise God that such theologians are risen up by his Spirit.

This is the book that brought an end to 19th century liberal theology's attempt to produce a neat synthesis of Christianity and culture, a psychological Christianity or an anthropologized Christianity. The project was a failure, and Barth tells us why and what should replace it -- a religionless Christianity? Not really a Biblical commentary. If you're looking for an exposition of the text, this isn't what you want. It's more like a manifesto, using Paul's epistle to the Romans as a place to begin the attack on cultural, non-prophetic Christianity. Written in a dialectical, highly expressive style. If you like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, this is your kind of theologizing -- with a hammer. It can be exhausting, and you will either love it or hate it. Barth later changed his style and tone, but not his message.

Well, if you like dry books, this is for you. Not much of a plot, but pretty good for the churchy type.

It took two readings for me to begin to appreciate the depth that Karl Barth put into this book. As my theology professor says, Barth is "deceptively easy" to read. This is indeed true. You read a paragraph and think you get an idea of what he is saying, but the philosophical ramifications of his perspectives are enormous. They blow apart human, frail understandings of God and forces one to view things differently, yet in a refreshing way. A great beginning to a monumental theologian.

A wonderful way to delve into what a Christian confesses in the Apostle's Creed. Do you find yourself having repeated the confession without remembering that you have? You won't again. Barth parses the Creed, expaining each phrase within the totality of traditional church teaching as well as reflective of the condition and history of twentieth century man. It is mindful of the historical position of individual contemporary Christians looking backward and forward at their role in salvation history. It is not a casual read, but well worth the theological effort.

The book, which was originally a lecture-series, begins with a definition of what "evangelical" theology is. From this point on, Barth elaborates (further) "biblical" definitions -- which is the starting and ending point of all of Barth's theology; the theology of the Prophets and Apostles, of God Himself, as He has made Himself known to His specially-selected "witnesses" throughout history.

One will find hints of Barth's (so-called) "crisis theology" here; the Bible, attesting to and confronting, humanity with His Word, Jeusus Christ -- who speaks, and has spoken -- and will continue to speak to all....

Karl Barth disdained the term "neo-orthodoxy" which was designated to his 'type' of theological-beliefs, or as "his" system. For him the Gospel was "ever anew" and always "fresh" to each generation, as well as every individual in it.

He has maintained a patent and resolute singularity with the Reformers, being regarded as one of the greatest Christian thinkers in the Reformed tradition. At the same time, he continually challenges both the orthodox and heterodox to "re-think" our theology and to make sure we are in conformity and within the blessed assurance of the theology of Prophets and the Apostles: God's Word (New Testament Greek: theou logos = "theology").

This isn't "past time reading". (Not for the theologically uninformed). Yet the style, method, and "logic" is easily followed -- if one doesn't "skip" a thought here or there. I (personally) use the book as both a "devotional" and as a technical-reference.

Chapters on: Prayer, Solitude, The Word, The Witnesses, Community....more!

Buy it (you'll like it)!

Barth wrote "evangelical theology" at the very end of his academic career. it consists of reflections upon what it means to be a theologian and a christian. This is a tremendous book and i would recommend it to any serious student of theology.

Karl Barth is arguably one of the greatest Protestant theologians of the last 200 years. This book is one of his most easier to understand material. Here he writes for the average Christian and not the academic scholar.

The writing is engaging as Barth's essays deal with three different subjects, yet, compliment each other. The first essay is "Evangelical Theology in the 19th Century." Barth concisely examines the dangers of liberal theology and the effects it had on the 20th Century.

The second essay is "The Humanity of God" of which the book is titled. This essay is a Christological work and is well worth the read.

The last section, "The Gift of Freedom", deals with the Christian life i regards to God's gift of Freedom. Frredom is a gift from God that He alone can bestow on us.

This is a great work which is very easy to read and quick to get through (only 96 pages). This book will inspire to read more works by this great Christian thinker. Whether one agrees with him or not, Barth is always engaging.

This is a short, readable introduction to the man who has influenced 20th century religiosu thought more than any other. The book is actually a collection of three separate essays. The first is a critical analysis of 19th century theology with its tendency to focus on human beings rather than on God. The second essay addresses the nature of God and God's relationship to humanity. The final essay addresses the issue of Christian freedom and Christian responsibility. The collection is theologically deep enough to entice academics, while readable enough to be approachable by any serious layperson.

I think this book if almost life changing, I was a student of Dr. Willis' for four years and am now a friend of his. Dr. Willis presents you a great history of theology as well as philosophy, and makes you ask "big" questions. Though he presents the answer of trinitarian theology to you, you definitely have room to wonder. Get this book.

Dr. Willis has written an exhaustive, interesting, and accurate look at the doctrine of the Trinity as it relates to Atheism and Theism.

Thank you!

The World Of Christ And the World Of Culture: Sacred And Secular Through The Theology Of Karl Barth by Paul Louis Metzger (Assistant Professor of Christian Theology and Theology of Culture, Multnomah Biblical Seminary, Portland, Oregon) is a close and illuminating study of Karl Barth's revolutionary theological ideals. From exploring the sacred in the creative word to "theological politics" to the demise of corpus christianum, The World of Christ and the World of Culture balances centuries of tradition and faith with modern changes in human way of life looking for a road that unifies faith in God with adaptations to the onward march of Time. The World Of Christ And The World Of Culture is a most welcome addition to Christian Theological Studies reading lists and library collections.

Amazing! This book shows how Orthodox Christology can provide a framework for engagement of the sacred and secular spheres which is both constructive and critical. Metzger shows how Barth's understanding of the relation of Christ's divine and human natures establishes the basis for a theology of culture.

Barth's paradigm, it is argued, provides a framework in which culture is allowed to truly be itself as secular, in distinct though inseparable relation to Christ. In Barth's day, his paradigm spoke against both the divinization of culture witnessed in Nazi Germany, and the secularization of culture in Soviet socialism, yet remained constructive calling for the humanization of culture to be truly secular in its proper sphere. Barth's appreciation of Mozart is shown not to be an anomaly in his theology as a whole, but rather the product of his Christological paradigm.

Today, the implications of this paradigm loom large for what Gunton refers to in the foreword as the often "distorted religious culture" of America and the West attempting to come to terms with Islam and the global world. I myself have often wrestled with the schizophrenic waffling between divinization and secularization of culture so evident here in America. This book has helped me set a framework in which Christology speaks both critically and constructively to both church and culture.

Metzger shows how Barth's paradigm establishes the framework for a theology of culture crucially relevant to our modern day, in which Christology calls culture to truly be itself. I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to see Christology taken 'off the shelf' and into the world-at-large.

Ever Against The Stream: The Politics Of Karl Barth, 1906-1968 is an impressive and informative survey drawn from the many speeches and letters of Karl Barth, a man who spoke loudly against National Socialism in Germany and Switzerland, and who confronted enemies among those in the churches in Switzerland who wanted to give the state more absolute power over its citizenry. A truly fascinating and perceptive survey of the life, beliefs, and outspoken testimony of a remarkable and idealistic man, Ever Against The Stream is very highly recommended reading for students of Political Science and 20th Century International Studies.

In Hans Frei & Karl Barth: Different Ways of Reading Scripture, David Demson has offered a sympathetic critique of one of the important figures in contemporary theological-hermeneutic discussion. In a extended comparison with Karl Barth's reading of the Gospel Narratives, the late Hans Frei's The Identity of Jesus Christ is subjected to an examination, which identifies a lacuna in his reading of Scripture. Stated baldly, while Frei is careful to explicate the specific identity of Jesus in relation (of obedience) to God in the texts of the Gospels, he leaves undeveloped (indefinite) Jesus' relation to the apostles. For Barth and for the New Testament, argues Demson, Jesus relationship to God and to a specific group of witness (the apostles) are held together. Jesus enacts his unsubstitutable identity as Saviour, so that the specific man Jesus cannot be thought of as an instance of the general class "Saviour," as Frei maintains against mythological readings of the New Testament. However, "ingredient in Jesus' identity" says Demson "are his appointment, calling, and commissioning of the Twelve" (x), and, on this account, Frei's reading of the Gospels is indefinite, and vulnerable to mythological interpretation. Jesus presence with and for specific human partners is left too diffuse on Frei's reading of the Gospels.

A great book for a lay person to read who is trying to get a handle on how sermons work. Actually a book for the about-to-be-preacher, Karl Barth provides parameters to the form, function and contents of sermons from the perspective of his own theology. For Barth, the best sermon is part of the liturgy - not an aside - serving sacramentally to join the congregation in communion with God's word. If you are tring to determine what distinguishes a good speaker from a good preacher, Barth may provide some guidleines you find useful.