The Early Preaching Of Karl Barth

Westminster John Knox Press is proud to present this special collection of fourteen of Karl Barth's World War I-era sermons--the only English language collection of Barth's sermons preached between 1917 and 1920 when he was a parish pastor in Safenwil, Switzerland. This volume offers a fascinating glimpse into Barth's interpretation of Scripture during a time of great historical significance. Renowned preacher William H. Willimon provides expert commentary on the theological and homiletical substance of each selection and points to the many ways in which Barth's early preaching can enrich the work of preachers today.

In this series of lectures delivered in the period immediately preceding World War II, Barth addresses the major topics of systematic theology. The reader gets a glimpse of the depth of Barth's thinking in these brief discourses, which he expanded upon greatly in his major work, 'Church Dogmatics.' In an Appendix, Barth answers question from the audience regarding the last essay. Contents 1. Revelation 2. The Church 3. Theology 4. The Ministry of the Word 5. The Christian as Witness Appendix

World War I changed Karl Barth's theology forever. In this book William Klempa presents for the first time in English thirteen sermons that offer Barth's unique view and commentary on the Great War. Barth saw the war as “a unique time of God,†believing it to represent God's judgment on militarism. The sermons reveal a deep strain of theological wrestling with the war's meaning, as Barth comes to see the conflict as the logical outcome of all human attempts to create God in our own image. As it demonstrates a decisive shift in Barth's early theology, this volume is essential for anyone who wishes to understand the twentieth century's greatest theologian.

"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].

For those who proclaim the Word of God, Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics is a rich and valuable source of inspiration and instruction. Yet the sheer magnitude of this 13-volume work understandably intimidates the busy minister, whose time for meditation and sermon preparation is limited. Inspired by Barth's belief that dogmatic theology exists to serve the proclamation of the church, Preaching through the Christian Year offers a choice selection of some of the most significant exegetical passages that appear in the Dogmatics. To aid ministers in their sermon preparation, editors John McTavish and Harold Wells have arranged these selections according to the church year. Serious students and teachers will also welcome this volume, particularly as it brings to light the biblical basis for Barth's thinking. - Back cover.

In this complete and valuable version of his Homiletics, renowned theologian Karl Barth's offers his thoughts on sermon preparation, including his understanding of the way in which the preacher should interpret scripture. Translated by Donald E. Daniels and renowned Barth translator Geoffrey W. Bromiley, this book presents lecture materials from seminars in Bonn from 1932 to 1933.

This volume contains two sermons by the early twentieth-century theologian and pastor Karl Barth. The first sermon, given upon the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, appears in print here for the first time ever. The second sermon, given in 1934 during Nazi ascendancy, appears for the first time in English translation. With a substantial introduction by Bishop William H. Willimon, this volume is an indispensable resource not only for Barth scholars, but also for anyone concerned with the presence of the Word in this world.