Comments on: 7 Things I Learned From Barth

By: kkcoolj

kkcoolj — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:18:11 +0000

@Paul – How about this one?

9. Size doesn't matter. In fact, smaller (type) might be better.

Barth often times uses the smaller text footnotes to develop exegetically what he stating in the larger print material. Especially as much of his theology is grounded in Scripture. So a good tip is that a lot of gold can be mined from the smaller print material!

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:59:15 +0000

Kenny you couldn't have put it better. And I'm really glad this got brought up. At first I was incredibly intimidated by the enormity of Barth's works, but the dogmatics are shockingly accessible.

I also would add how grounded his theology is in Scripture. Often times he uses the smaller text footnotes to develop exegetically what he stating in the larger print material. So a good tip is that a lot of gold can be mined from the smaller print material!

By: kkcoolj

kkcoolj — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:27:40 +0000

@Kerry — That sounds like a great #8! How about this?

8. Barth is like a premium all you can eat buffet.

You can keep going back to him as many times as you want, each time taking as little or as much as you want. 6 million words doesn't have to be overwhelming, but rather exciting that there is so much to enjoy.

By: kerry

kerry — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:25:35 +0000

In one sense it is possible to focus too much on Jesus Christ, if the result is heresy. For example, denying or undermining the Trinity. So the question becomes: What is the "quality" of the focus or teaching on Christ? Barth is pretty solid. Thanks for your scratch on the scratch on the surface of Barth. I expected you to add that Barth is accessible, that is, 6 million words is intimidating, but you have said that you can pick him up and find him readable and interesting in whatever chunks you consume.