Teaching of the Church Regarding Baptism

by Karl Barth, Ernest A. Payne (Translator)

In this classic text, Karl Barth outlines and discusses the Christian tradition of baptism and its biblial and theological context.

Genres: Theology

64 pages, Paperback

First published August 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

[Dale Hagwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, not a bad little booklet. Only 63 pages of the edition I have. There was good content overall, crucially recognizing baptism as a sign and seal of the covenant of grace. The main thing that stuck out is Barth’s divergence from Reformed practice on infant baptism. I heard he did, but never read his work on it. He stresses active engagement, a readiness and willingness, for baptism. He stresses that profession of faith complements and completes what baptism signifies, as baptism itself is a proclamation of the Word, I.e., Jesus, and our faith in him. The readiness and willingness to receive baptism after profession of faith is only logical because a believer receives Christ readily and willingly at conversion. Barth is surprisingly baptistic here, given the Swiss Reformed church’s historic practice, which Barth also takes issue with. Barth makes a comment about church/state relations as playing a role in one’s view of baptism, as he felt the Reformers did (to be a member of the state is also to be a member of the church, and vice versa). This comment comes after he explain’s Calvin’s treatment of baptism, which Barth views as inconsistent.

Overall, it’s a good book, not groundbreaking. But, pretty surprised to read his baptistic views on the sacrament.

[Matthew McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely splendid. Barth, as always, packs a fiery punch, filled to the brim with theological depth. I deeply appreciated how lofty—and sacramental!—a view of baptism Barth held. I understand he may have softened on baptismal efficacy later on in CD IV/4 (yet have not verified this claim myself, so I hope I am wrong), but I prefer as high a view as one can take! (Holy Scripture demands it!)

His denial of infant baptism is potent, given he is a theologian coming from the Reformed tradition. He does not mince words in the slightest as he critiques Calvin—his criticisms are blunt and forceful. Barth rightly places no condition for baptism's efficacy on the holiness of the administrator. Most interestingly, Barth parts from a standard credobaptist position that infant baptisms are not, in fact, valid baptisms. Barth sees infant baptisms as valid yet disordered—baptism is a once for all, non-repeatable act. Thus, despite his firm denial of the practice, he himself was never immersed as an adult, viewing his baptism as an infant as "his" baptism.

[Hany Abdelmalek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short doctrinal presentation in favor of N.T. faith baptism

[Chris Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sure, I immensely disagreed. Doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. Classic Barthian forcefulness & prose.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

With his usual homiletic fire, Barth preaches a theologically powerful essay on the Church's practice of baptism. Most notably, Barth condemns the practice of infant baptism in no uncertain terms - it is a faithless breach of proper ecclesial discipline. At the same time, however, Barth insists that the grace of which baptism makes us cognitively aware prevents baptism from being readministered, no matter how improper by the standards of church discipline. Barth's argument rests heavily on an absolute division between baptism in the Spirit and the water baptism of John (the latter of which he equates with the Christian ritual of the same form). This division, more asserted than proved, is helpfully corrected by Cullmann in his own book on baptism.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I appreciate that Karl Barth is a learned man and not a theological ditz, he has a very dry view of of baptism (pun intended). Sure, he says that it's a vibrant sign and declaration of stuff, but he will not allow it to do anything on it's own.

[Joshua Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick overview with excellent exploration of many of the issues of baptism. Doesn't really get further than an introduction into issues though, as it is so short (originally was delivered as a lecture).

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

He had a bone to pick with somebody. Too bad the distinction between use and abuse wasn't made clear. Also, suffers as a translation.