Karl Barth and the Problem of War, and Other Essays on Barth

by John Howard Yoder, Mark Thiessen Nation

A passionate opponent of Nazism, Karl Barth was required to serve in the Swiss army. At the age of 54, he helped guard the Swiss border at Basel from German intruders. Some would suggest this is all we need to know in order to understand Barth's views on Christianity and war. John Howard Yoder begged to differ. ""Karl Barth and the Problem of War"" is an essay in which Yoder articulates the views of his former teacher on war, these views comprising a position he refers to as ""chastened non-pacifism."" Through a rigorous examination of Barth's ethical method, Yoder seeks to show how the logic of Barth's basic theological commitments makes him even closer to pacifism than is often noticed. Here five additional essays, three of which have never before been published, join this long essay. These essays offer further reflections on Barth's ""chastened non-pacifism,"" as well as offering some of Yoder's fruitful use of Barth's theology for social ethics.

Genres: Theology

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Yoder was a Christian theologian, ethicist, and Biblical scholar best known for his radical Christian pacifism, his mentoring of future theologians such as Stanley Hauerwas, his loyalty to his Mennonite faith, and his 1972 magnum opus, "The Politics of Jesus".

Reviews

[Denise Kettering · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Howard Yoder was long known for his understanding of peace and pacifism in the biblical narrative. In this work, he examines the work of Karl Barth with great scrutiny as well as great charity, emerging with a view of Barth that is more sympathetic to the cause of peace than previously believed by many. Yoder encourages readers to look beyond the Barmen Declaration and Barth's reaction to World War II and examine the whole of his work and writing. While it is clear that Barth was not a pacifist, it is also clear from Yoder's analysis that at many points Barth had a more complex perspective than has previously been portrayed.

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think this is the same edition I read, and it may have been a slightly different title. But I found it in the library one day, and it was something like this (through I didn't read the entire thing). But what I read was fascinating. Barth was not a pacifist, but he despised how lightly many of Christ's words seemed to be taken by Christians. At the same time, when the Nazi's began their program, he joined up with the Austrian National Guard as an older man, insisting that he be given something to do to fend off tyranny. Yoder seems to have had great admiration for Barth.

[Benjamin Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Critical engagement with Barth's ethics from his famous student (and modern American anabaptist rock star) John Howard Yoder. Basically he thinks that a consistent application of Barthian ethics (deep reverence for life) leads farther into pacifism than Barth himself was ready to go.

Helpful for its unique perspective and extensive interaction with Church Dogmatics, but in the end I prefer Moltmann's treatment of this subject in On Human Dignity.