The Essential Karl Barth: A Reader and Commentary

Karl Barth is one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century. He set the agenda for much of modern theology, and his work is considered essential reading for nearly every theological student. Reading Barth's theology poses a challenge, however, because of the sheer size of his corpus. Barth wrote millions of words in dozens of books, essays, sermons, and letters over many decades. Where should a reader begin in order to understand his thought? His work can also be difficult to read because of the complexity of his claims and the distance between his context and the context of his readers. How can new readers of Barth's work make sure they are understanding it correctly? In this accessible introduction, a respected scholar in Barthian studies offers a one-stop resource on Barth's thought. The Essential Karl Barth contains the most important texts written by Barth over the course of his career, including significant passages from his monumental Church Dogmatics. Keith Johnson begins with an introductory chapter that describes the importance of Barth's life and work. He introduces each one of Barth's primary texts, providing context and summarizing its argument. Johnson also supplements Barth's text with critical commentary designed to help readers grasp Barth's claims. The book concludes with a chapter examining Barth's theological legacy and the prospects of a Barthian theology. The Essential Karl Barth will help readers learn how to read Barth, giving them a sense of Barth's theological development, the key claims of his theology, his engagement with political matters, and his significance for contemporary theology.