Barth for Armchair Theologians [Paperback]

John R. Franke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2006 | Series: Armchair Theologians

This volume introduces readers to the life and thought of Karl Barth (1886-1968), one of the most important theologians since the Reformation era. Featuring the Armchair series' characteristic whimsical illustrations, Barth for Armchair Theologians surveys Barth's theology as it emerges and culminates in his monumental Church Dogmatics as well as how his theology continues to be interpreted in the present day.

Written by experts but designed for the novice, the Armchair series provides accurate, concise, and witty overviews of some of the most profound moments and theologians in Christian history. These books are essential supplements for first-time encounters with primary texts, lucid refreshers for scholars and clergy, and enjoyable reads for the theologically curious.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Barth for Armchair Theologians offers an accurate, insightful, and at times whimsical introduction to the great thinker from Basel." -- Joseph L. Mangina, Wycliffe College, Toronto, author of Karl Barth: Theologian of Christian Witness

About the Author

John R. Franke is Lester and Kay Clemens Professor of Missional Theology at Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (August 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664227341
• ISBN-13: 978-0664227340
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John R. Franke is the Lester and Kay Clemens Professor of Missional Theology at Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, PA. He holds the DPhil degree from the University of Oxford and is particularly interested in engaging postmodern thought and culture from the perspective of missional Christian faith. He has spoken on the relationships between the gospel, theology, mission, and culture throughout the US and around the world and is actively involved in research and writing. In addition to publishing numerous articles and reviews he is the coauthor of Beyond Foundationalism: Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context (Westminster John Knox Press), the author of The Character of Theology (Baker Academic) and Barth for Armchair Theologians (Westminster John Knox). His most recent book is Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth (Abingdon).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Daunted by Barth? Here's Help., August 12, 2006

By 

A. C. Taylor "Follower of God, animal lover &... (Sterling, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Barth for Armchair Theologians (Paperback)

Reading Karl Barth's work can be a daunting task. With this work Dr. Franke has provided interested learners with a both a framework for understanding and a introduction to the thinking of a theologian widely recognized as one of the leading Christian theologians in Church history. That Franke could do so in a mere 166 pages is impressive.

The book itself is part biography, part historical (Barth's) theology. Franke demonstrates how Barth's theologizing developed under the influence of his personal and world events. From Barth's early family life and academic training to his pastoral and educational work, his maturing thought is illuminated and comprehended as an interaction with culture, life events, and especially his increasing reliance on the Word of God.

Discussion of Barth's magnum opus, Church Dogmatics (CD), does not take up the majority of this book, though it is covered in the longest chapter. Personally, I would have liked to have had two to three times the material discussing CD that Dr. Franke gives. However, what is presented is sufficient to assist the reader in entering into useful dialogue with Barth. I found the insight of making conscious use of the divisions (paragraphs and subsections) of CD most welcome.

Dr. Franke's work also described important works by other Barth scholars; his synopsis of George Hunsinger's & Bruce McCormack's works provide frames of reference and mindset that are crucial, I believe (I've read those works cited), to accurately comprehended Barth's writings.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and Entertaining!, July 17, 2008

By 

Brett A. Stroud "B.A. Stroud" (Hesperia, CA (USA)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Barth for Armchair Theologians (Paperback)

Karl Barth is probably among the three most important theologians in Protestant history (along with John Calvin and Friedrich Schleiermacher). His insightful and monstrous Church Dogmatics is a daunting task for any reader (I'm just started on it myself), and he certainly has his own method of organizing and talking about theology.

John Franke, with an engaging and lucid style, tells the interesting story of the life of Karl Barth while explaining his theological development into liberalism and out of it. He concludes with a large chapter on the outline of the Church Dogmatics (which includes tips on how to approach the colossal work) and a chapter on the present and future prospects for engagement with Barth's unique "dialectical" theology.

I highly recommend this book to all those interested in 20th century theology and especially to those like myself interested in reading and understanding Barth.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barth for ArmChair Theologians, July 4, 2009

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Timothy P. Monaghan "Tim Monaghan" (Maryland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Barth for Armchair Theologians (Paperback)

a great over view of one of Barth's CDs before you tackle the volume yourself, but really Webster's intro book is the best