Karl Barth-Rudolf Bultmann Letters 1922-1966

by Karl Barth, Rudolf Karl Bultmann, Bernd Jaspert

Containing all the available letters and postcards exchanged by Karl Barth and Rudolf Bultmann over a period of 44 years (1922-1966), this collection in many respects exceeds secondary volumes on the theology of Barth and Bultmann in its direct treatment of the central themes of Christian theology and practice. Most significantly, it traces their theological maturation as well as their major disagreements, particularly over Bultmann's controversial existential theology. Of the 98 letters and cards in this volume, 30 letters and cards are by Bultmann, and 25 letters and 10 cards are by Barth. The text is supplemented by biographical and literary notes as well as 40 other letters, cards, public declarations, memoranda, and autobiographical sketches. The letters between these two giants of 20th Century theology written over four decades yield excellent insights into the politics of German academia and the reactions of the theological community to the Nazi regime as well as the theological views of Barth and Bultmann.

Genres: Theology

206 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

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

[Stephen Morrison]

A lot of this book went over my head, not knowing much of Bultmann's work. I know mostly of Barth and his object to it, but to read these letters was a joy, seeing the relationship between these two men. I came to understand more of the personality of Barth, and I greatly enjoyed his humor! Some gems, nothing too profound, but an interesting read nonetheless.

[Wyatt Houtz]

It's a good compilation of letters but there are primarily two letters of great importance. The appendix #34 and most importantly letter #94.