Reading The Gospels With Karl Barth

Papers presented at the 2015 Karl Barth Conference, held June 21-24, at Princeton Theological Seminary on the theme of "Karl Barth and the Gospels: Interpreting Gospel Texts."

Endorsements: "Karl Barth and Hans Frei are close to the center of contemporary hermeneutical debate. David Demson's illuminating study offers an authoritative account of their respective ways of reading Scripture, arguing that, for all its fruitfulness, Frei's work lacks a theology of inspiration such as Barth provides. Scrupulous and nuanced in its handling of the texts, this book is a perceptive contribution to the literature of both Frei and Barth. It is also a place to begin exploring key theological issues concerning biblical interpretation, theory of interpretation, and Christology." --John Webster, Oxford University "The whole of Christian discourse is contained in the tiny, glittering questions that Demson so marvelously brings to light. His work is the work of a hermeneutical master in the service of other hermeneutical masters--Hans Frei and Karl Barth. The result is a brilliant restatement of Frei on 'the identity of Jesus Christ'--amplified and qualified by astute attention to Barth. An outstanding contribution to the ecclesial reading of Holy Scripture." --George Hunsinger, Center of Theological Inquiry "Taking a narrow focus--a single difference in the interpretation of Scripture by two twentieth-century theologians--Demson has succeeded in opening up a wide theme. Here is a fascinating account of how the reading of the Bible remains a living challenge for contemporary Christians." --Kenneth Hamilton, University of Winnipeg "A careful description and able comparison of two significant theologians' expositions of the Gospel accounts of Jesus' ministry, passion, and resurrection. Demson, who is impartial but not neutral in his stance, provides helpful synthetic insight into how Barth and Frei each treat a broad theological theme and, at the same time, gives readers constructive proposals for explicating New Testament texts. This book is a welcome contribution to all for whom attending to the Bible and doing theology are inseparable." --H. Martin Ruscheidt, Atlantic School of Theology Author Biography: David E. Demson is professor of systematic theology at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Karl Barth Society of North America.

Over the course of his multivolume Church Dogmatics, Karl Barth not only cites thousands of Scripture texts but also offers extensive exegetical discussion of numerous passages. In this book twelve leading theologians and biblical scholars examine Barth's exegesis of particular passages in the Gospels. How does Barth's practice of theological exegesis play out in his reading of the Gospels? What are the fundamental features of Barth's interpretation of Gospel texts, and to what extent do they enliven theology, biblical studies, and ethics today? Reading the Gospels with Karl Barth explores answers to such questions and offers fresh stimulus for further study and discussion. CONTRIBUTORS Richard Bauckham Kendall Cox Beverly Roberts Gaventa Eric Gregory Willie James Jennings Paul Dafydd Jones Bruce L. McCormack Daniel L. Migliore Jürgen Moltmann Paul T. Nimmo Fleming Rutledge Shannon Nicole Smythe

Today’s biblical scholars and dogmaticians are giving a significant amount of attention to the topic of theological exegesis. A resource turned to for guidance and insight in this discussion is the history of interpretation, and Karl Barth’s voice registers loudly as a helpful model for engaging Scripture and its subject matter. Most readers of Barth’s theological exegesis encounter him on the level of his New Testament exegesis. This is understandable from several different vantage points. Unfortunately, Barth’s theological exegesis of the Old Testament has not received the attention it deserves. This book seeks to fill this lacuna as it encounters Barth’s theological exegesis of Isaiah in the Church Dogmatics. From the Church’s inception, Isaiah has been understood as Christian Scripture. In the Church Dogmatics we find Barth reading Isaiah in multi-functional and multi-layered ways as he seeks to hear Isaiah as a living witness to God’s triune revelation of himself in Jesus Christ.

Anyone exploring a new territory knows the benefit of an experienced guide. A guide can make the difference between tiresome drudgery and a life-changing adventure. This is as true for exploring new thinkers and books as it is for places. If ever a theologian required a guide, it would be Karl Barth. His many writings have secured his place as the most significant theologian of the twentieth century. The massive Church Dogmatics alone spans over eight thousand pages and six million words. David Guretzki has been reading and teaching Barth for decades, and he has gathered numerous hints and notes along the way for how best to explore the writings of the Swiss theologian. Inside you will find frequently asked questions a glossary of key concepts and persons a tour guide to Barth's early writings tips on how to write a paper on Barth a guided tour to the Church Dogmatics Whether you are a first-time reader or a seasoned student, An Explorer's Guide to Karl Barth will give you the tools and tips to get the most out of your experience. Enjoy the journey! Books in the Explorer's Guide series are accessible guidebooks for those studying the great Christian texts and theologians from church history, helping readers explore the context in which these texts were written and navigate the rich yet complex terrain of Christian theology.

"Prepared for Karl Barth's centennial, this selection of sermons, letters, addresses and published writings serves as an excellent introduction to Barth's thinking and faith."--

"The present work is primarily concerned with certain practical rules and suggestions [about preaching] which I still hold to be essential and worth considering--or at least being read carefully and discussed." [Preface].

Over the past two decades studies on Karl Barth have become increasingly technical. The ironic result is that although Barth wrote chiefly for preachers, scholars have become the primary gatekeepers to his rich theological thought. This collection of essays introduces Karl Barth with both clarity and depth, providing pastors and other serious readers with a valuable overview of Barth's views on Scripture. George Hunsinger -- himself a recognized expert on Barth -- and eight other scholars cover such topics as Barth 's belief that Scripture is both reliable and inspired, his typological exegesis, his ideas about time and eternity, and more. Reading this book will whet the reader 's appetite to engage further with Barth himself.