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The Church and the War
In this short book, The Church and the War , Karl Barth examines teh response of European churches to World War II and writes to American churches on what the gospel required of them in that era.With lessons for the contemporary world and insightful commentary of his own time, Barth's focus on the gospel is unrelenting, reminding believers that they do not owe ultimate allegiance to any state and that the gospel is always paramount.
68 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2008
About the author
Karl Barth
485 books272 followersProtestant 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 15, 2022
Advice from a different time for our time
Barth writes from during the Second World War on his views on the war and related issues. Most significant, however, is his view of the role of the church and preaching during this time.
Perhaps to the surprise of some, but typical of Barth, his advice is that the church remember its call to any time or point of history is to stay true to the Gospel as it orients us towards Jesus.
This advice makes Barth’s letters in this book particularly helpful to anyone in the church wondering how the church should respond to whatever is going on in the world. Perhaps it helps to know that Barth’s advice is to keep doing what you were called to do as church - follow Jesus.
Barth writes from during the Second World War on his views on the war and related issues. Most significant, however, is his view of the role of the church and preaching during this time.
Perhaps to the surprise of some, but typical of Barth, his advice is that the church remember its call to any time or point of history is to stay true to the Gospel as it orients us towards Jesus.
This advice makes Barth’s letters in this book particularly helpful to anyone in the church wondering how the church should respond to whatever is going on in the world. Perhaps it helps to know that Barth’s advice is to keep doing what you were called to do as church - follow Jesus.
June 5, 2026
Interesting reading in today’s world
May 31, 2016
The book is an insightful glance into the turbulent times leading up to and during the 2nd world war. Parallels may be drawn from the buildup to the establishment of National Socialism and the spiritual indolence of even the German Church with the laxness of Christians in the West today.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews