Karl Barth
Biography
Karl Barth (pronounced "bart") was a Swiss Reformed theologian whom critics hold to be among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas.
Beginning with his experience as a pastor, he rejected his training in the predominant liberal theology typical of 19th-century Protestantism, especially German.
Instead he embarked on a new theological path initially called dialectical theology (due to its stress on the paradoxical nature of divine truth—for instance, God is both grace and judgment), but more accurately called a theology of the Word.
Critics have referred to Barth as the father of neo-orthodoxy—a pejorative term emphatically rejected by Barth himself.
Barth's theological thought emphasized the sovereignty of God, particularly through his innovative doctrine of election.
His theology has been enormously influential throughout Europe and America.
No detailed information about his background, personal life, education, professional experience, or accomplishments has been provided or confirmed. This section serves as a general placeholder until more accurate and verified details can be collected and published.
There are many reasons why a biography might be missing or incomplete. In some cases, individuals are listed or mentioned before a profile has been written. In others, a person may wish to maintain privacy, or their contributions may not yet be fully documented. The absence of a biography does not imply a lack of importance or relevance. Every individual has a unique story, and this section acknowledges that Karl Barth is part of a broader context—even if the details are not yet available.
As more information becomes accessible through official records, publications, or direct input, this biography will be updated to reflect who Karl Barth is and what he brings to his field or role. The intention is to provide an accurate, respectful, and informative profile when the time is right.
Until then, this entry will remain simple and general. It avoids speculation and assumptions, and instead leaves space open for a future version that can properly represent Karl Barth's journey, achievements, and contributions. We look forward to adding more when the opportunity allows.
For now, Karl Barth is acknowledged here without further detail, with the understanding that every person’s story is valuable—even if it hasn’t yet been told.
- Country
- Switzerland
- Gender
- Male
- Education
- University of Göttingen
- Place of birth
- Basel
- Birth date
- 10 May 1886
- Member of
- Zofingia·Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques·American Academy of Arts and Sciences·Social Democratic Party of Germany
- Nationality
- Swiss
- Sonning Prize
- Honorary doctor of the University of Edinburgh
- Honorary doctorate of the University of Glasgow
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Righteous Among the Nations
- Sigmund Freud Prize
- Honorary doctor of the University of St Andrews
- Honorary doctor of the University of Utrecht
- Honorary doctor of the University of Geneva
- Honorary doctor of the University of Oxford
- Doctor honoris causa of the University of Strasbourg
- The nativity mystery “conceived from the Holy Spirit and born from the Virgin Mary”, means, that God became human, truly human out of his own grace. The miracle of the existence of Jesus , his “climbing down of God” is: Holy Spirit and Virgin Mary!
- Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
- The church speaks finally in that it prays for the world.
- Prayer without study would be empty. Study without prayer would be blind.
- There does not exist any more a holy mountain or a holy city or holy land which can be marked on a map. The reason is not that God’s holiness in space has suddenly become unworthy of Him or has changed into a heathen ubiquity.
- On the basis of the eternal will of God we have to think of EVERY HUMAN BEING, even the oddest, most villainous or miserable, as one to whom Jesus Christ is Brother and God is Father; and we have to deal with him on this assumption. If the other person knows that already, then we have to strengthen him in the knowledge.
- God wants man to be His creature. Furthermore, He wants him to be His PARTNER.
- The author says that theologian operates with windows open to the interest of the world, but also with a skylight that allows full awareness of prayer.
- The righteousness of God in His election means, then, that as a righteous Judge God perceives and estimates as such the lost cause of the creature, and that in spite of its opposition He gives sentence in its favour, fashioning for it His own righteousness.
- The demand that the Bible should be read and understood and expounded historically is, therefore, obviously justified and can never be taken too seriously. The Bible itself posits this demand: even where it appeals expressly to divine commissionings and promptings, in its actual composition it is everywhere a human word, and this human word is obviously intended to be taken seriously and read and understood and expounded as such.
Books
CTU235
Karl Barth
Counter terrorist unit (ctu235) conducts a high altitude low opening (halo) infiltration to intercept a bus containing vips en route to a third world country.
Spiritual Writings
Karl Barth
Early Barth - Lectures and Shorter Works
Karl Barth
Karl Barth-Emil Brunner Correspondence
Karl Barth
Word in This World
Karl Barth
""an important feature of this booklet is the inclusion of two contrasting sermons by barth--the 'monster of a full scale titanic sermon' of 1912, and the sermon of christ's walking on the lake of 1934.
Einfuhrung in Die Evangelische Theologie
Karl Barth
Naturkräfte und Baustoffe
Karl Barth
Barth in Conversation : Volume 3
Karl Barth
Die Technischen Hilfswissenschaften
Karl Barth
Karl Barth-Emil Brunner Correspondence
Karl Barth
The barth-brunner correspondence, containing 174 letters, offers a glimpse into the dynamic interactions of two of the twentieth century's greatest theological minds.
The Knowledge Of God And The Service Of God According To The Teaching Of The Reformation
Karl Barth
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.
Barth in Conversation
Karl Barth
In recognition of karl barth's stature as a theologian and public figure in the life of europe and the west, swiss publisher theologischer verlag zurich (tvz) published conversations, a collection of correspondence, articles, interviews, and other short-form writings by barth.
The Knowledge of God and the Service of God According to the Teaching of the Reformation
Karl Barth
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.
The Epistle to the Ephesians
Karl Barth
Karl barth is widely acknowledged as one of the great theologians of the church.
Barth in Conversation
Karl Barth
Karl barth is widely regarded as the most important theologian of the twentieth century, and his observations about the church and its place in a modern world continue to engage religious scholars nearly fifty years after his death.
Ad Limina Apostolorum
Karl Barth
A Unique Time of God
Karl Barth
L'Epître aux Romains
Karl Barth
God Here and Now
Karl Barth
Karl barth was, without doubt, one of the most significant religious thinkers of modern times.
Theology and Church
Karl Barth
On Religion
Karl Barth
Karl barth was one of the most important theologians of the 20thcentury and, according to pope pius xii, the most important since thomas aquinas.
Karl Barth-Emil Brunner Correspondence
Karl Barth
The barth-brunner correspondence contains 174 letters, and offers a glimpse into the dynamic interactions of two of the 20th century's greatest theologians.
Shorter Commentary on Romans
Karl Barth
Theological Existence To-Day!
Karl Barth
Fragments Grave and Gay
Karl Barth
Karl barth was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 25
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Der Römerbrief
Karl Barth
Karl barths zweite, vollig neu geschriebene fassung der auslegung des romerbriefs ist das grundungsdokument der dialektischen theologie.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 10
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 19
Karl Barth
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 13
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Karl Barth
Karl Barth
This short volume, which emerged from the karl barth centenary year in 1986, brings together a collection of essays which makes an important contribution to barth interpretation.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 22
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Volume 11 Church Dogmatics
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 13
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 1
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 24
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 27
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Volume 8 Church Dogmatics
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Volume 29 Church Dogmatics
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Volume 9 Church Dogmatics
Karl Barth
Karl barth’s church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Volume 30 Church Dogmatics
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 4
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 17
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 21
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 29
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 12
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
Deliverance to the Captives
Karl Barth
This book takes us behind prison bars--to hear powerful, simple, direct sermons by the man widely known as the twentieth century's most influential theologian.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition General Index
Karl Barth
Described by pope pius xii as the most important theologian since thomas aquinas, the swiss pastor and theologian, karl barth, continues to be a major influence on students, scholars and preachers today.
Church Dogmatics Study Edition 14
Karl Barth
Karl barth's church dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century.
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Karl Barth
Karl Barth (pronounced "bart") was a Swiss Reformed theologian whom critics hold to be among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas.