Marc Cortez has a great post (think post of the year) outlining 5 reasons why you should read Barth. His list is comprehensive and thoroughly professional. I encourage everyone to take note of what he says. I would also add to Marc’s list the following reasons to read Barth:
- His is a pastoral theology. Specifically Barth’s theology is undertaken from the standpoint of the pulpit. Barth cuts through much of the rubbish and gets to the core issue, Christ.
- His is a biblical theology. Don’t get me wrong, Barth is not a biblical scholar however, his theology is grounded in the Scriptures.
- His is a theology of the Word. For Barth the Word of God is found in three forms, Preached, Written and Revealed.
- His is a theology of joy. In fact Barth himself was a joyful theologian. He is reformed but not stodgy and grumpy like many of the older (and current it seems) reformed theologians. Christ is the source of life and happiness for Barth and it bursts forth on every page.
- His is a theology sorely needed today. I wish more people took the time to read Barth, especially pastors. He is hard work and he is different to many of the modern church fathers, yet his approach is groundbreaking. He is well worth the investment.
Eugene Peterson made the following observations about Barth in his Memoirs, “The first book of Barth’s I read was like an ice-axe…In reading Barth I realised…He was calling attention to the lived quality of the Christian life, the narrative of the Bible, the good news of the gospel” It is true, Barth is hard work, but like all things that are worthwhile the reward is great!
If you wish to begin this truly wonderful journey can I encourage you to start with Barth’s “Evangelical Theology” or, if you are truly game go out and purchase his 14 Volume Dogmatics and read Ben Myer’s “Dogmatics in a week” HERE.

2 words: Nicolas Berdyaev.
One word: Who?
One word: read:
http://politicaljesus.com/2011/03/27/nicolasberdyaev/
Meh… 😉
Ahh Barth !
For those attempting to woo others with their theological prowess, I recommend watching the following episode of MASH and just replace the names of composers with theologians. It works every time….but then again, I ain’t much for fancy book learning;
Hawkeye: Hey, Radar, you got a problem. Come here. This Lieutenant Anderson has a brain.
Trapper: Hawkeye, people with brains don’t get transferred here.
Hawkeye: Oh yeah? This kid brushes her teeth with an encyclopedia. (to Radar) Look, I borrowed these from Father Mulcahy for training purposes. We got a lotta work to do.
Radar: (reading the title of a book) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. War and peace?
Hawkeye: Well, Tolstoy was very flexible. He went either way. Look, you can’t possibly read all of these. Just familiarize yourself with the names and dates. You know what I mean? Just fake it.
Radar: Yeah. (checking another book) Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Sounds serious.
Hawkeye: Well, it was no picnic.
Radar: (reads) “The crumbling Roman Empire was beset with strife.”
Trapper: You just spoiled the movie for me.
Radar: What do I do if she corners me on something?
Hawkeye: OK, all right. You just… You look thoughtful and you say: “That’s highly significant.”
Radar: (bashful) No…
Hawkeye: No, come on. Try it, try it.
Radar: That’s highly significant.
Trapper: He said look thoughtful, not sick.
Hawkeye: All right, OK, try this: “I consider that horse-and-buggy thinking.”
Radar: (lowering his voice) I consider that horse-and-buggy thinking.
Hawkeye: Not bad.
Trapper: Hey.
Radar: Yeah, I like that.
Hawkeye: Now, look. You might get into a discussion about music with her.
Radar: Music?
Hawkeye: Yeah, she’s got some pretty highbrow tastes.
Trapper: Mozart? Bach? All the biggies?
Hawkeye: Bach is easy. If she brings him up, you just smile and you say: “Ahh, Bach.”
Radar: Ahh, Bach.
Hawkeye: Smile a little bit.
Radar: (smiling and waving more energetically) Ahh, Bach!
Hawkeye: That’s nice. Very good. That’s not bad. Now, if she throws guys at you like Shostakovich or Tchai…
Radar: Who?
Hawkeye: Shostakovich or Tchaikovsky, just try to look bored.
Good stuff! A little more thoughtful and reflective than my post, perhaps. 🙂
Maybe but your’s was nonetheless true! 🙂
Mark,
Just for you, I am going to translate some Barth from his native tongue.
LOL. A few people have told me that even the Germans prefer Barth in English as he is less laborious!