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Karl Barth

1886-1968

Returning to Christ’s Truth during the World’s Turmoil

Basel, Switzerland

About Karl Barth

Karl Barth was born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1886, the son and grandson of pastors. Barth was devoted to the study of theology from a young age, and was taught and influenced by scholars Adolf von Harnack, Friedrich Schleiermacher, and Wilhelm Herrman.

In the aftermath of World War I, unsatisfied with the rising school of liberal thought and theology, Barth dove into central Christian doctrines including the Word of God, creation, and reconciliation as seen in his life’s work, the Church Dogmatics.

Confronting division and nationalism in the church were common themes throughout his life and work. His original, bold, and authentic presentation of Scripture and Christ was unheard of at the time.

Often called the most important and influential Protestant theologian of the twentieth century, Barth continued his work on theology and ecumenism until his passing on December 9, 1968. His complex life and body of work remain a topic of interest for many theologians today.

Discover the story of this theologian through his own writing and the work he inspired.

“ ”

God is not what we know but that by which we know.

- Karl Barth,
Church Dogmatics

The Church Dogmatics

The Church Dogmatics

Published in 13 books over 35 years, the Church Dogmatics (Kirchliche Dogmatik) follows Barth’s theological convictions and class lectures from 1932 to 1967 as professor of systematic theology in the University of Basel, providing what Sinclair Ferguson calls “the weightiest contribution to Protestant theology since Schleiermacher.”

With a word count of over 6 million, the Church Dogmatics’ 4 volumes delve into essential Christian doctrines, including:

  • The Doctrine of the Word of God
  • The Doctrine of God
  • The Doctrine of Creation
  • The Doctrine of Reconciliation

These writings have influenced countless theologians, pastors and laypeople, who have come away from reading Barth with a renewed awe for the God of the Bible—whether or not they agree with Barth’s theology.

The new Church Dogmatics collection on the Logos platform includes both Barth’s original German and English translations by T&T Clark.

Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics: English-German (62 vols.)

Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics: English-German (62 vols.)

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Unity in the Church

Unity in the Church

Despite being a somewhat divisive figure, Barth was a vocal advocate for the ecumenical movement, seeking unity between Catholic and Protestant churches. Barth believed that unity could—and only could—be found through believers’ common faith in Jesus Christ. Further, he defied the “German-Christian” movement of Nazi Germany as a primary author of the Barmen Declaration of 1934—an effort to unite the church in the truth of Christ over the “truth” of the day.

Explore resources from this pivotal time and related to his ecumenical cause

Reforming Rome: Karl Barth and Vatican II

Reforming Rome: Karl Barth and Vatican II

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Karl Barth, Catholic Renewal, and Vatican II

Karl Barth, Catholic Renewal, and Vatican II

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Dogma and Ecumenism: Vatican II and Karl Barth's Ad Limina Apostolorum

Dogma and Ecumenism: Vatican II and Karl Barth's Ad Limina Apostolorum

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Conversational Theology: Essays on Ecumenical, Postliberal and Political Themes, with Special Reference to Karl Barth

Conversational Theology: Essays on Ecumenical, Postliberal and Political Themes, with Special Reference to Karl Barth

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Thomas Aquinas and Karl Barth: An Unofficial Protestant-Catholic Dialogue

Thomas Aquinas and Karl Barth: An Unofficial Protestant-Catholic Dialogue

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Barth in Conversation: Volume 2, 1963

Barth in Conversation: Volume 2, 1963

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Evangelical, Catholic, and Reformed: Doctrinal Essays on Barth and Related Themes

Evangelical, Catholic, and Reformed: Doctrinal Essays on Barth and Related Themes

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Politics in Wartime

Politics in Wartime

As a pastor and professor during the two world wars, Barth was alarmed by Germany’s increasing militarism and the complicity of his former professors for this.

Immersing himself in the struggle of the German church and becoming a founding member of the Confessing Church, Barth championed the causes of Jews and oppressed people everywhere.

Consider Barth’s provocatively non-conformist political views that made him a theological leader and spiritual father to a generation.

Explore Works on Karl Barth's Political Views

Karl Barth and Radical Politics, Second Edition

Karl Barth and Radical Politics, Second Edition

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Karl Barth: God’s Word in Action

Karl Barth: God’s Word in Action

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Ever against the Stream: The Politics of Karl Barth, 1906–1968

Ever against the Stream: The Politics of Karl Barth, 1906–1968

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Theo-Politics? Conversing with Barth in Western and Asian Contexts

Theo-Politics? Conversing with Barth in Western and Asian Contexts

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The Church and the War

The Church and the War

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Community, State, and Church: Three Essays

Community, State, and Church: Three Essays

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In His Generation & Beyond

In His Generation & Beyond

While Barth’s works were timely for the church—and the world—in the twentieth century, his theological teaching retains a timeless quality for today’s reader. Barth’s theology remains a cornerstone of scholarly study with a wealth of information to explore on the impact of this complex theologian.

Explore More from Karl Barth

Westminster John Knox Karl Barth Collection (5 vols.)

Westminster John Knox Karl Barth Collection (5 vols.)

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Karl Barth - Kirchliche Dogmatik (Studienausgabe) (31 Bde.)

Karl Barth - Kirchliche Dogmatik (Studienausgabe) (31 Bde.)

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Select Works of Karl Barth (42 vols.)

Select Works of Karl Barth (42 vols.)

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Life and Select Works of Karl Barth (19 vols.)

Life and Select Works of Karl Barth (19 vols.)

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T&T Clark Karl Barth Collection (19 vols.)

T&T Clark Karl Barth Collection (19 vols.)

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T&T Clark Karl Barth Collection (8 vols.)

T&T Clark Karl Barth Collection (8 vols.)

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The Life, Thought, and Works of Karl Barth (81 vols.)

The Life, Thought, and Works of Karl Barth (81 vols.)

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A Shorter Commentary on Romans by Karl Barth with an Introductory Essay by Maico Michielin

A Shorter Commentary on Romans by Karl Barth with an Introductory Essay by Maico Michielin

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Insights: Karl Barth’s Reflections on the Life of Faith

Insights: Karl Barth’s Reflections on the Life of Faith

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A Unique Time of God: Karl Barth’s WWI Sermons

A Unique Time of God: Karl Barth’s WWI Sermons

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Barth in Conversation (3 vols.)

Barth in Conversation (3 vols.)

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Barth in Conversation, Volume 1, 1959–1962

Barth in Conversation, Volume 1, 1959–1962

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Barth’s Church Dogmatics (31 vols.)

Barth’s Church Dogmatics (31 vols.)

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The Resurrection of the Dead

The Resurrection of the Dead

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Theology and Church: Shorter Writings 1920–1928

Theology and Church: Shorter Writings 1920–1928

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The Epistle to the Ephesians

The Epistle to the Ephesians

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The Teaching of the Church Regarding Baptism

The Teaching of the Church Regarding Baptism

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Fifty Prayers

Fifty Prayers

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Witness to the Word: A Commentary on John 1

Witness to the Word: A Commentary on John 1

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Ethics

Ethics

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Fragments Grave and Gay

Fragments Grave and Gay

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The Church and the War

The Church and the War

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The Faith of the Church: A Commentary on the Apostle’s Creed according to Calvin’s Catechism

The Faith of the Church: A Commentary on the Apostle’s Creed according to Calvin’s Catechism

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Church Dogmatics, Volume 5: Index, with Aids for the Preacher

Church Dogmatics, Volume 5: Index, with Aids for the Preacher

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Credo

Credo

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Church Dogmatics, Volume 4: The Doctrine of Reconciliation, Part 1

Church Dogmatics, Volume 4: The Doctrine of Reconciliation, Part 1

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Church Dogmatics, Volume 2: The Doctrine of God, Part 1

Church Dogmatics, Volume 2: The Doctrine of God, Part 1

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Church Dogmatics, Volume 3: The Doctrine of Creation, Part 1

Church Dogmatics, Volume 3: The Doctrine of Creation, Part 1

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