The Barmen Theses Then and Now: The 2004 Warfield Lectures at Princeton Theological Seminary

by Eberhard Busch, Darrell L. Guder (Translator), Judith Guder (Translator)

In 1934 Christian churches in Germany faced strong pressure to conform their belief and practice to the pillars of Nazi thinking -- respect for the authority of the Fuhrer and fervent devotion to the history and culture of the German race. Defying this ideological agenda, leaders in the German Evangelical Church responded by adopting the Barmen Declaration. This bold statement of dissent, grounded in the authority of Scripture, has since become a powerful model for the contemporary confession of the Christian faith against modern forms of skepticism and unbelief.

In  The Barmen Theses Then and Now  Eberhard Busch demonstrates to a new generation how that key German confession during a specific time of crisis can guide Christians everywhere today. He interprets each of the six theses in its original context -- Nazi Germany -- and then applies it to crucial cultural and political challenges facing Christianity in our time.

Genres: Theology

113 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2010

Reviews

[Jordan J. Andlovec]

A fine and spirited introduction to an important confession, although a little more background would have been nice, specifically the negotiations between the Lutheran and Reformed camps at Barmen.

[Hannah Scanlon]

This was a concise and relatable introduction to the Barmen Declaration, a vital document in the more recent history of Christianity of which many more American Christians ought to know.

[Matt Crawford]

Do not read this book if you are comfortable in your American Christianity ! Take out the dates are what they tried to resolve in the Barmen Theses for 1933 Germany is exactly what the American church is going through right now!

[Jason Bratcher]

A great read! A well thought out, critical examination of the Barmen Declaration (and how it is still relevant today).