خواندن کارل بارث برای کلیسا: راهنما و همراه

This book is perhaps best described by stating what it is not. It is not a general introduction to the theology of Karl Barth. It is not a biography of his person. It is also not a historical account tracing the development of his thought, convictions, and theological positions. Nor is this a constructive work, an attempt to draw upon Barth either for a new presentation of theological material or to argue where the trajectories of his thought should lead us. There are many excellent books that provide such an overview of his life, that track the development of his thought, or that excavate the sources from which he drew for his own work of theological description. Moreover, there are other fine books that provide exciting avenues for thinking not only with but also beyond him into new territories. Yet there is always a danger that examinations of his theology begin to gravitate predominantly to the far margins—on one side, to increasingly fine-grained historical studies in which his timeline of life and thought becomes ever more subdivided, and on the other constructive side, to explorations into areas that are ever more technical, ethereal, and inaccessible to any but those who are deeply steeped not only in the theology of Barth himself but also in an ever-expanding and nearly inexhaustible wealth of secondary literature.Barth’s theology is, of course, fertile and complex, as is that of any great theologian worthy of preservation and abiding study. For this reason, such historical and constructive examinations of his theology are appropriate and helpful to mine the riches of his achievement. I not only am greatly indebted to such studies but also have added to the mound of secondary literature mentioned above. Yet even as I have labored in the field of Barth studies and recognize its necessary and beneficial academic program.... Leading Barth interpreter Kimlyn Bender provides an introduction to the essence of Barth's theology, emphasizing themes that speak to the concerns of the church, the pastorate, and Christian ministry. This book serves as a companion to the first volume of Barth's Church Dogmatics, offering straightforward help for reading and understanding that work in its entirety as well as developing the skills necessary to read more of Barth's writings. Reading schedules (for both the first volume and the complete Church Dogmatics) and discussion questions for individuals and groups are included. A leading Barth interpreter provides an introduction to the essence of Barth's theology, emphasizing themes that speak to the concerns of the church, the pastorate, and Christian ministry.