On Religion: The Revelation of God as the Sublimation of Religion

by Karl Barth, Garrett Green (Translation), John B. Webster (Introduction)

Karl Barth was one of the most important theologians of the 20thCentury and, according to Pope Pius XII, the most important since Thomas Aquinas. His magnum opus, Church Dogmatics, runs to thirteen volumes and is one of the most substantial works of systematic theology ever written. On Religion presents a central chapter from Barth's masterpiece, in which he explores the phenomenon religion itself. Including a substantial introduction and commentary, this is an essential introduction to the Church Dogmatics.

Genres: Theology

196 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

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

[Ronald]

This is a must read. Simply, because the address of the book is a call to come alongside of Jesus Christ, not only in name, identity, belief, but in concrete obedience to the grace of God, found only, in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, is not impediment to understanding, rather, religious hubris is, and this is not done in his name. No. It is done in the name of pride and trying to earn grace, like trying to curry favor with God. All religions, in the world, including Christianity, try to do this. So, what makes Christianity move from alongside these world religions, to the fore? The import, the hinge point on which all life turns, is the name Jesus Christ, bringing people to stand in front of a majestic and holy God, that is not appeased from anything its adherents has done, but from the work and power of the Son of God, who is the very human and holy Jesus Christ.

All I can write, is this will challenge all you thought you knew, and were ever taught. Faith, is not based on proofs, but actions. And life is not based on anything, according to Karl Barth, but the transformative new life Christians have, and in humility give thanks and adore God, for the one King, Jesus Christ. I, was also taken with the psychological structure of religion. For instance, Barth traces out a history of religion(s) and humanity in general. And there is one common denominator that human religions have in common, they all stand equally apart from Jesus Christ. Even Christianity, without proper acknowledgement (I.e., American civil religion and patriot worship), is just another religion, since religious trapping is just that, sight and spectacle. The very religion bears the name of Jesus: Christianity, can leave out the Kingship and majesty, thus, making it all about "Ianity". See, this book makes concrete relevance, and should be included on all religious studies reading lists.

[Yana]

Wow.