The sheer volume and complexity of Barth's writings can overwhelm students new to his work. That's why this introduction is a good starting point. Complemented by whimsical illustrations, Franke's overview outlines key principles in Barth's thought; chronicles his break from 19th-century liberalism; discusses the formation of his neo-orthodoxy; and highlights people he continues to influence. 192 pages, softcover from Westminster/John Knox.

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Review 1 for Barth for Armchair Theologians

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Date:February 12, 2007

Alan Taylor

Why study Barth? Quite simply, it is (in my opinion) intellectually dishonest to not do so and present oneself as an informed theologian; not to mention one is missing a material that is potentially quite beneficial for biblically Christian theology today. For those with even a passing familiarity with Karl Barth, or those who have heard much about him, John Franke's latest book attempts the near impossible. It strives to make readily accessible Barth's complex thoughts, particularly those contained in his magnum opus, the multi-volume Church Dogmatics. I believe that Franke succeeds in this endeavor. Material that is helpful to understanding Barth is presented, and this aids the reader in understanding Franke's summaries of Barth's key writings.

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