Theology of John Calvin

by Karl Barth, Geoffrey William Bromiley (Translator)

This historically significant volume collects Karl Barth's lectures on John Calvin, delivered at the University of Göttingen in 1922. The book opens with an illuminating sketch of medieval theology, an appreciation of Luther's breakthrough, and a comparative study of the roles of Zwingli and Calvin. The main body of the work consists of an increasingly sympathetic, and at times amusing, account of Calvin's life up to his recall to Geneva. In the process, Barth examines and evaluates the early theological writings of Calvin, especially the first edition of the Institutes.

Genres: Theology, Christian

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Protestant theologian Karl Barth, a Swiss, advocated a return to the principles of the Reformation and the teachings of the Bible; his published works include Church Dogmatics from 1932.

Critics hold Karl Barth among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important since Saint Thomas Aquinas. Beginning with his experience as a pastor, he rejected his typical predominant liberal, especially German training of 19th century.

Instead, he embarked on a new path, initially called dialectical, due to its stress on the paradoxical nature of divine truth—for instance, God is both grace and judgment), but more accurately called a of the Word. Critics referred to this father of new orthodoxy, a pejorative term that he emphatically rejected. His thought emphasized the sovereignty of God, particularly through his innovative doctrine of election. His enormously influenced throughout Europe and America.

Reviews

[Raully · Rating 4 out of 5]

As his book on Schleiermacher shows, Barth was a generous reader who took the time to understand thoroughly the canon of Protestant theology even when he disagreed with it. Calvin is an interesting case. While unmistakably a 20th-century theologian who felt no need to align himself perfectly with Calvinism, Barth was nevertheless a Reformed thinker. His first pastoral job in fact was in Geneva where he witnessed the extravagant celebrations of Calvin's 400th birthday and the dedication of the Reformation memorial. Thus this book is full of insights into Calvin, many of which do not seem to have even occurred to many current theologians. The book is split between Calvin's contemporaries, Calvin's life and the Institutes. Less attention is paid to Calvin's lesser writings or pastoral vocation. Its not a comprehensive account, but it is an insightful read worth reading slowly.

Note: The writing is not as tight as it should be, since this book was originally a lecture course on Calvin given at Barth's seminary.

[Greg Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me far too long to plow through, but it was enjoyable. Barth is very colorful at times in his theological analysis. Surprised he said very little about Servetus, but maybe that says more about modern interest in that portion of his narrative.

[Bob Ladwig · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started to read this book twice but because Barth's writing is similar to his theology I felt I was being smothered under wet blankets and couldn't even get out of the first few chapters.

[David Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult.