The most comprehensive scholarly survey of Karl Barth’s theology ever published Karl Barth, arguably the most influential theologian of the 20th century, is widely considered one of the greatest thinkers within the history of the Christian tradition. Readers of Karl Barth often find his work both familiar and strange: the questions he considers are the same as those Christian theologians have debated for centuries, but he often addresses these questions in new and surprising ways. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth helps readers understand Barth’s theology and his place in the Christian tradition through a new lens. Covering nearly every topic related to Barth’s life and thought, this work spans two volumes, comprising 66 in-depth chapters written by leading experts in the field. Volume One explores Barth’s dogmatic theology in relation to traditional Christian theology, provides historical timelines of Barth’s life and works, and discusses his significance and influence. Volume Two examines Barth’s relationship to various figures, movements, traditions, religions, and events, while placing his thought in its theological, ecumenical, and historical context. This groundbreaking work: Places Barth into context with major figures in the history of Christian thought, presenting a critical dialogue between them Features contributions from a diverse team of scholars, each of whom are experts in the subject Provides new readers of Barth with an introduction to the most important questions, themes, and ideas in Barth’s work Offers experienced readers fresh insights and interpretations that enrich their scholarship Edited by established scholars with expertise on Barth’s life, his theology, and his significance in Christian tradition An important contribution to the field of Barth scholarship, the Wiley Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth is an indispensable resource for scholars and students interested in the work of Karl Barth, modern theology, or systematic theology. 

Theologians have long assumed that Karl Barth's doctrine of election is supralapsarian. Challenging decades of scholarship, Shao Kai Tseng argues that despite Barth's stated favor of supralapsarianism, his mature lapsarian theology is complex and dialectical, critically reappropriating both supra- and infralapsarian patterns of thinking. Barth can be described as basically infralapsarian because he sees the object of election as fallen humankind and understands the incarnation as God's act of taking on human nature in its condition of fallenness. In this New Explorations in Theology volume, Tseng shows that most of Barth's Reformed critics have not understood his doctrine of election accurately enough to recognize his affinity to infralapsarianism and, conversely, that most Barthians have not understood Reformed-orthodox formulations of election with sufficient accuracy in their disagreement with the tradition. Karl Barth's Infralapsarian Theology offers a clear understanding of both the historic Lapsarian Controversy and Barth's distinct form of lapsarianism, providing a charitable dialogue partner to aid mutual understanding between Barth and evangelicals. Featuring new monographs with cutting-edge research, New Explorations in Theology provides a platform for constructive, creative work in the areas of systematic, historical, philosophical, biblical, and practical theology.

The theology of the Eucharist has long been the subject of heated debate, particularly since the Reformation. George Hunsinger's book explores ways in which Christians might resolve their differences in this area. With the aim of fostering ecumenical convergence, he tackles three key issues dividing the churches about the Eucharist: real presence, Eucharistic sacrifice, and ordained ministry. Hunsinger, a Protestant theologian in the Reformed tradition, brings Eastern Orthodox views more systematically into the discussion than has been common in the West. He also discusses the social significance of the Eucharist. His detailed conclusion summarizes and clarifies the argument as a whole with an eye to explaining how the views proposed in the book could lead the churches, beginning with the Reformed church, closer to the day when obstacles to Eucharistic sharing are overcome. George Hunsinger has been chosen as the recipient of the 2010 Karl Barth Prize by the jury of the Union of Evangelical Churches in the Evangelical Church in Germany.

The theology of the Eucharist has long been the subject of heated debate, particularly since the Reformation. George Hunsinger's book explores ways in which Christians might resolve their differences in this area. With the aim of fostering ecumenical convergence, he tackles three key issues dividing the churches about the Eucharist: real presence, Eucharistic sacrifice, and ordained ministry. Hunsinger, a Protestant theologian in the Reformed tradition, brings Eastern Orthodox views more systematically into the discussion than has been common in the West. He also discusses the social significance of the Eucharist. His detailed conclusion summarizes and clarifies the argument as a whole with an eye to explaining how the views proposed in the book could lead the churches, beginning with the Reformed church, closer to the day when obstacles to Eucharistic sharing are overcome. George Hunsinger has been chosen as the recipient of the 2010 Karl Barth Prize by the jury of the Union of Evangelical Churches in the Evangelical Church in Germany.

Hans W. Frei (1922-88) was one of the most important American theologians of his generation. This book makes available the work in which he was engaged during the last decade of his life. Based on his 1983 Shaffer Lectures at Yale University and his 1987 Cadbury Lectures at the University of Birmingham, it presents Frei's reflections on issues and options in contemporaryrepresented theology, especially on the relation of theology to biblical interpretation and on the place of theology as an academic tradition. In the book Frei proposes classifying theologians according to whether they see Christian theology primarily as an academic discipline or as an internal activity of Christian communities. He describes fie different variations of these views. the first, represented by Immanuel Kant and Gordon represented, regards theology as a philosophical discipline within the academy. The second, represented by theologians as diverse as represented represented, David Tracy, and Carl Henry, correlates specifically Christian with general cultural structures of meaning. The third type, represetned by represented represented and Paul represented, occupies the middle of the spectrum. The fourth type, represetned by Karl Barth, emphasizes the internal descriptive task of theology but remains open to ad hoc correlations with concerns of the wider culture. the fifth, which includes D. Z. Phillips and other Wittgensteinian fideists, opts for pure self-description though this group defends its position with philosophical arguments that, oddly enough connect it with the other end of the spectrum. Frei argues in favor of the third and fourth options. In his view, theologians like Schleiermacher and, even more, Barth, although often seen as polar opposites, enable theology to remain most faithful to the priority of the ecumenically attested literal sense in biblical interpretation.

This volume demonstrates Hans W. Frei's unique contribution to theology and biblical hermeneutics. Divided into five parts, the volume first outlines key biographical details, including a little known interview from 1980 (excerpted), and Frei's Jewish background while growing up in Nazi Germany. The subsequent four parts offer insights into both the centrality of biblical narrative and its fateful eclipse by modernity, as well as Frei's usage of Anselm and Barth. The scholars who contribute to this volume examine Frei's analytical rigor, his plea for a "high Christology" in the service of the church; and his shifting interpretations over the years regarding scripture's "literal sense". They examine Frei's relationship to other contemporary notables such as Paul Ricoeur, Eberhard Jungel, George A. Lindbeck and Carl F. H. Henry, along with an alternative Roman Catholic reading of the history of biblical hermeneutics over against the one he advocates.

The essays in this wide-ranging collection fall into three main sections: Ecumenical Theology, Postliberal Theology, and Political Theology. The first section deals with Torrance and Barth on the Sacraments. Hunsinger includes here an examination of Torrance's views of baptism and the eucharist, as well as Karl Barth's voice on the Lord's Supper. He also develops a post-Barthian appreciation of Jews and Judaism. In the second section Hunsinger discusses such figures as Hans W. Frei, Ernst Troeltsch and H.R. Niebuhr in terms of their contribution to Postliberal Theology. The final section offers a discussion of Political Theology, as part of which Hunsinger presents an in-depth analysis regarding the political views of Karl Barth, as well as Barth's understanding of human rights. The book ends with a meditation on Andre Trocme and how goodness happened at Le Chambon.

Karl Barth and his legacy have dominated theology circles for over a decade. In this volume George Hunsinger, a world-renowned expert on Barth's theology, makes an authoritative contribution to the debate concerning Barth's trinitarian theology and doctrine of election. Hunsinger challenges a popular form of Barth interpretation pertaining to the Trinity, demonstrating that there is no major break in Barth's thought between the earlier and the later Barth of the Church Dogmatics. Hunsinger also discusses important issues in trinitarian theology and Christology that extend beyond the contemporary Barth debates. This major statement will be valued by professors and students of systematic theology, scholars, and readers of Barth.

The essays in this wide-ranging collection fall into three main sections: Ecumenical Theology, Postliberal Theology, and Political Theology. The first section deals with Torrance and Barth on the Sacraments. Hunsinger includes here an examination of Torrance's views of baptism and the eucharist, as well as Karl Barth's voice on the Lord's Supper. He also develops a post-Barthian appreciation of Jews and Judaism. In the second section Hunsinger discusses such figures as Hans W. Frei, Ernst Troeltsch and H.R. Niebuhr in terms of their contribution to Postliberal Theology. The final section offers a discussion of Political Theology, as part of which Hunsinger presents an in-depth analysis regarding the political views of Karl Barth, as well as Barth's understanding of human rights. The book ends with a meditation on Andre Trocme and how goodness happened at Le Chambon.

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.

Twenty-one scholars, activists, military officers, and religious leaders have come together here to underscore that torture is a moral issue, beyond all partisan politics, but also to help religious communities mobilize against it, so that all loopholes permitting torture by any U.S. agencies, whether military or intelligence, might be eliminated.

Torture Is a Moral Issue begins with background material, including accounts from a torture survivor and a former U.S. interrogator in Iraq. Parts two, three, and four encompass the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim responses respectively. Part five offers solutions to this horrific problem and considers what would need to be achieved for specifically U.S. torture to be brought to an end.

Contributors: Taha Jabir Alalwani, William T. Cavanaugh, John Conroy, Edward Feld, David P. Gushee, Yahya Hendi, Scott Horton, George Hunsinger, Adm. John Hutson, Tony Lagouranis, Ellen Lippman, Ingrid Mattson, Ann Elizabeth Mayer, Marilyn McEntyre, Gen. Richard O'Meara, Dianna Ortiz, Louise Richardson, Kenneth Roth, Fleming Rutledge, Melissa Weintraub, Carol Wickersham.

"For the Sake of the World" gathers the presentations from one of the most successful Barth conferences ever held in the United States. Here thirteen of Karl Barthbs most astute interpreters explore in fresh ways a variety of themes from Barthbs life and work, showing how Barth still has much to offer the contemporary world.

Organized as a dialogue between the contributors, this volume features cutting-edge studies followed by substantial critical responses. The subjects discussed in detail include the Barth-Brunner correspondence, Barthbs position on the Jews during the Hitler era, Barth and politics, Barthbs doctrine of providence, Barthbs thought on Christian love and ethics, and Barthbs conception of time and eternity. The volume ends with a winsome memoir of Barth as a teacher.

Contributors: Eberhard Busch
John D. Godsey
Clifford Green
John W. Hart
David Hollenbach, S.J.
George Hunsinger
Brian Leftow
Daniel L. Migliore
Caroline Schroder
Caroline J. Simon
Katherine Sonderegger
John Webster
Randall C. Zachman

Karl Barth's attitude toward the Jews, despite some admittedly unfortunate elements, still has much to commend it and the essays in this volume discuss this matter. The contributors examine numerous topics: the extent to which Barth compares favorably with recent post-Holocaust theologies, Barth's position on the Jews during the Third Reich, his critique of the German-Christian Voelkish church on ethical grounds. The discussion tackles Barth dialectical "Yes" to Israel's christological "No", it unpacks his ground-breaking exegesis of Rom. 9-11; as well as examines Barth's rejection of the 1933 Aryan Law that formed the basis for excluding baptized Jews from Christian communities during the Third Reich. The essays also examine Barth's later worries about Nostra Aetate, Vatican II's landmark "Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-christian Religions". This is followed by an in-depth explanation how Barth's theology differentiated the question of religious pluralism from church's relationship with Judaism. This inspiring volume concludes by taking up the neglected question of Barth's place in modern European history.

Among the studies of Karl Barth's thought, no other work covers, as this one does, the areas of political, doctrinal, and ecumenical theology in single compass. Written by a leading Barth scholar, Disruptive Grace is unique not only for its range of study, depth of insight, and accuracy of presentation, but also for the way it displays the heart as well as the mind of the great Swiss pastor and theologian. Each of the book's three main sections consists of five major essays. Part 1 relates Barth to contemporary issues of social justice, war, and peace. Part 2 covers christology, pneumatology, the Trinity, scriptural interpretation, and the question of universal salvation. Part 3 discusses the Reformed tradition as Barth understood it in relation to Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, modern liberalism, evangelical conservatism, and the postliberal theology of the contemporary Yale school. The book concludes with a meditation on the saving significance of Christ's death, a theme that runs throughout the book. The result of more than twenty-five years of intensive Barth research, this volume provides scholars, teachers, and students with a thorough discussion of the twentieth century's most significant Christian thinker.

Wide-ranging doctrinal expositions by an expert scholar of 20th-century theologian Karl Barth In this book prominent Barth scholar George Hunsinger presents fifteen essays on Karl Barth's understanding of Christian doctrine across a wide spectrum of topics, concluding with suggestions as to how Barth's theology might fruitfully be retrieved for the future. Hunsinger discusses Barth's views on such subjects as the Trinity, creation, natural theology, Christology, justification, and time and eternity. As he delves into Barth's theological substance, Hunsinger highlights ways in which Barth's work was Evangelical, Catholic, and Reformed, illuminating the ecumenical aspects of his thought. No other volume explains Barth's views on this range of topics with such scope, depth, and clarity.

The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible encourages readers to explore how the vital roots of the ancient Christian tradition inform and shape faithfulness today. In this volume, a leading theologian known for his expertise on Barth offers a theological reading of Philippians. George Hunsinger draws on patristic and medieval theology and on Calvin, Edwards, Barth, and Torrance as he explores what the biblical text means for ecclesial interpretation today. As with other series volumes, this commentary is designed to serve the church, providing a rich resource for preachers, teachers, students, and study groups.

Karl Barth's attitude toward the Jews, despite some admittedly unfortunate elements, still has much to commend it and the essays in this volume discuss this matter. The contributors examine numerous topics: the extent to which Barth compares favorably with recent post-Holocaust theologies, Barth's position on the Jews during the Third Reich, his critique of the German-Christian Voelkish church on ethical grounds. The discussion tackles Barth dialectical "Yes" to Israel's christological "No", it unpacks his ground-breaking exegesis of Rom. 9-11; as well as examines Barth's rejection of the 1933 Aryan Law that formed the basis for excluding baptized Jews from Christian communities during the Third Reich. The essays also examine Barth's later worries about Nostra Aetate, Vatican II's landmark "Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-christian Religions". This is followed by an in-depth explanation how Barth's theology differentiated the question of religious pluralism from church's relationship with Judaism. This inspiring volume concludes by taking up the neglected question of Barth's place in modern European history.

Hans W. Frei (1922-1988) was one of the most influential American theologians of his generation. Early in his career he drew attention to the importance of biblical narratives; he helped make Karl Barth once again a creative voice in contemporary theology; and he served as a model of what his colleague, George Lindbeck, has called "postliberal theology." This volume collects ten of Frei's lectures and essays, many of them never before published. Addressing audiences of theologians, biblical scholars, and literary critics, Frei explores the implications of his work for hermeneutics and Christology, and discusses Barth, Schleiermacher, and his own teacher, H. Richard Niebuhr. William Placher has provided an introduction to Frei's life and work, and the volume ends with an essay by George Hunsinger on Frei's significance for theology today. This collection provides an unrivaled introduction to Frei's work.

Using a fresh reading of Barth's Church Dogmatics, Hunsinger advances a new interpretation of the Protestant theologian's work, and places it in relation to contemporary discussions of truth, justified belief, double agency, and religious pluralism.