The Great Passion: An Introduction to Karl Barth's Theology - Hardcover

Widely regard to be the twentieth century's greatest theologian, Karth Barth's work refocused the task of Christian theology and demonstrated its relevance to every domain of human life, from the spiritual to social to the political. It is precisely the broad sweep of Barth's theology that makes a book like "The Great Passion" necessary -- a succinct yet comprehensive introduction to Barth's entire theological program.

Of the many people who write on the life and thought of Karl Barth, Eberhard Busch is uniquely placed. A world-renowned expert on Barth's theology, he also served as Barth's personal assistant from 1965 to 1968. As Busch explains, one cannot fully understand Barth the theologian without also understanding Barth the man. In this book he weaves doctrine and biography into a superb presentation of Barth's complete work.

Busch purpose in this introduction is to guide readers through the main themes of Barth's monumental "Church Dogmatics" against the horizon of our modern times and problems. In ten sections Busch clearly explains Barth's views on all of the major subject areas of systematic theology: the nature of revelation, Israel and christology, the Trinity and the doctrine of predestination, the problem of religion, gospel and law, creation, salvation, the Holy Spirit, eccclesiology, and eschatology.

A distinctive feature of the book is the way Busch lets Barth speak for himself, often through surprising quotations. Busch also shows how Barth's writing should be read as a dialogue, constantly and consciously engaging other voices past and present, both in and outside of the church. Most important of all, however, is the way the book demonstrates that Barth'sthought is not only still accessible today but also remarkably helpful.

How good it is that the author of the rich Karl Barth biography has drawn anew on his intimate acquaintance with the person and work of Barth to introduce the theology of the "Church Dogmatics." In this study we are engaged by a theology that, as if stubbornly, asked and still asks different questions, addressed and still addresses things other than what in Barth's own time and also now in ours claims to be at the center of the science of theology. Eberhard Busch has written a passionate, wonderfully readable book that portrays how "thinking" about the friendliness of God for humanity' can itself becomes a great passion.