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Lesson OneBarthian Beginnings3 Activities
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Lesson TwoBeyond Liberalism and Orthodoxy2 Activities
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Lesson ThreeBarth's Concept of the "Word of God"3 Activities
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Lesson FourBarth as Theological Professor in Germany2 Activities
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Lesson FiveThe Road to "Dogmatics"3 Activities
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Lesson SixBarth as Theologian2 Activities
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Lesson SevenBarth and the Bible - Part I3 Activities
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Lesson EightBarth and the Bible - Part II2 Activities
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Lesson NineBarth and Revelation - Part I2 Activities
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Lesson TenBarth and Revelation - Part II2 Activities
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Lesson ElevenBarth and Revelation - Part III3 Activities
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Lesson TwelveBarth and Propositional Bible2 Activities
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Lesson ThirteenBarth's Concept of a Fallible Bible2 Activities
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Lesson FourteenA Defense of the Inspiration of Scriptures2 Activities
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Lesson FifteenThe Doctrine of God3 Activities
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Lesson SixteenThe Attributes of God2 Activities
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Lesson SeventeenGod's Election - Part I3 Activities
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Lesson EighteenGod's Election - Part II2 Activities
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Lesson NineteenBarth and the Triumph of Grace3 Activities
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Lesson TwentyCan Barth Take the Gospel Seriously?2 Activities
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Lesson Twenty-OneBarth's Doctrine of Atonement3 Activities
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Lesson Twenty-TwoThe Novelty of Neo-Orthodoxy3 Activities
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Lesson Twenty-ThreeThe Careless Use of Neo-Orthodox Terms2 Activities
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Lesson Twenty-FourThe Influence of Barth and Neo-Orthodoxy2 Activities
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Course Wrap-UpCourse Completion1 Activity1 Assessment
Participants 23
Discussion Questions
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How did Karl Barth come to the problem: What must I preach?
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1 Reply
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As a young pastor in Safenwil, Switzerland, he encountered the discrepancy between traditional liberal theology, which he had studied, and the pressing concerns of his congregation. Liberal theology, with its emphasis on human progress and culture, seemed unable to address the realities of social injustice and the challenges of World War I. Barth’s disillusionment deepened as prominent theologians and intellectuals of his time supported the war, revealing what he saw as a theological failure.
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What elements contributed to the birth of Crisis theology?
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1 Reply
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Crisis theology was born out of the disillusionment caused by World War I, which destroyed the belief in human progress and the optimism of liberal theology. The war showed how cultural Christianity and human reasoning were powerless to deal with the depth of human sin and suffering. Karl Barth played a key role, especially with his study of the Bible and his commentary on Romans, where he stressed that God’s ways are far beyond human understanding and that we need to rely on God’s revelation. The ideas of Soren Kierkegaard, who focused on the individual’s relationship with God and human struggles, also influenced this theology. Crisis theology called for turning back to God’s authority and the Bible to face the challenges of modern life.