Church Dogmatics [Paperback]

Karl Barth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1994

Karl Barth's monumental work, Church Dogmatics, is recognized as a landmark in Protestant theology--perhaps the most important work of this century. However, the size range of its fourteen volumes has meant that its content and significance may not be so widely known or appreciated as it deserves. In this concise introduction, Helmut Gollwitzer provides a selection of some of the most important passages from Church Dogmatics to help the busy student explore the heart of the great work; or perhaps to direct a student to parts of the Dogmatics of greatest interest.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... one of the most notable theological publications of our time." Expository Times "He undoubtedly is one of the giants in the history of theology." Christianity Today" --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (November 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664255507
• ISBN-13: 978-0664255503
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction to Barth, September 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Church Dogmatics (Paperback)

Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics is one of the most important theological treatises of all-time, which set the agenda for religious thinking in the first half of the 20th Century. However, its sheer size and depth (reminiscent of Aquinas' Summa Theologiae) frequently discourage average readers from delving into its treasury of insights. Professor Gollwitzer's short selection of the Dogmatics provides a useful introduction to Barth's most important themes, especially his understanding of revelation, Christology, and salvation. Great reading for any serious college or seminary student who wants to wrestle with the mind of this great Christian thinker!

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Selection of 20th Century's top Protestant Theologian, March 28, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Mt. Dora, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Church Dogmatics (Paperback)

For those who want to a hearty taste of Karl Barth's Church Dogmactics, this is the book. The only reason this book isn't ranked higher in my mind is that its divisions of Barth's theology by topics sometimes break up coherent arguments. Still this is the best book short of reading every volume of Barth's Church Dogmatics.

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introductory Selection of Barth's Theology, February 25, 2002

By 

J "peacemover" (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Church Dogmatics (Paperback)

"Church Dogmatics: A Selection" is an excellent introduction to the theology of Karl Barth. Anyone even remotely acquainted with Christian theology cannot dispute the fact that Karl Barth is one of the most relevant and scholarly theological minds of our time. He articulated some of the most basic, yet profound truths of the Bible at a time when mainstream Christian theology had begun to place less and less emphasis on the Bible as God's inspired Word. He dialogues with the great theologians and philosophers from Luther to Calvin, to the scholastics, to his contemporaries. The unifying thread through his writing is the person of Jesus Christ, as witnessed in scripture. Barth, in his Church Dogmatics, did what no other modern theologian has been able to do with such clarity- he synthesized a millenium of Christian thought and focused it through the lens of what scripture says about Christ. His Doctrine of the Word of God is an amazing and thorough exposition of the topic- to get the full thrust of what Barth was saying, though, I would recommend working through the multi-volume set of his Church Dogmatics. For introductory or casual reading (if such a thing is possible), I would highly recommend starting with this concise volume. Best wishes on your theological quest!