Book Notes
Karl Barth’s Epistle to the Romans: Retrospect and Prospect, edited by Christophe Chalamet, Andreas Dettwiler, and Sarah Stewart-Kroeker (Berlin: De Gruyter, 2022).
Karl Barth’s Epistle to the Romans: Retrospect and Prospect, edited by Christophe Chalamet, Andreas Dettwiler, and Sarah Stewart-Kroeker (Berlin: De Gruyter, 2022).
Hello everyone! Welcome to another edition of BookNotes from God: Here and Now Magazine. Today, we explore a collection of essays on Barth’s famous commentary on Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.
Karl Barth’s Epistle to the Romans is a classic that fundamentally reshaped the landscape of Christian theology. A century later, Karl Barth’s Epistle to the Romans: Retrospect and Prospect (edited by Christophe Chalamet, Andreas Dettwiler, and Sarah Stewart-Kroeker) gathers a diverse group of scholars to reflect on the continued relevance and challenges of Barth’s work. This compilation of essays from a 2019 conference at the University of Geneva presents a timely reassessment of Barth's groundbreaking interpretation of Paul’s epistle.
The Legacy of Barth’s Radical Reading
Karl Barth’s 1919 commentary on Romans shook both conservative and liberal theological circles, marking a shift away from historical-critical methods toward a focus on the theological content of Scripture. In his famous preface, Barth claimed that his goal was not merely to recount the historical details behind the text but to uncover the living Word of God through the Apostle Paul. He argued that Romans is a confrontation with God, a message transcending human categories. This profound theological reading forms the foundation of many of the essays in Retrospect and Prospect, highlighting Barth’s radical stance against any domestication of the biblical text.
The book's first section, “Barth as Scriptural Theologian,” engages directly with how Barth’s approach challenges traditional biblical interpretation. Beverly Roberts Gaventa’s contribution, for instance, explores how Barth’s understanding of Romans confronts the modern exegetical establishment, suggesting that “most commentaries on Romans are harmless” because they sanitize the radical message of Paul. By “standing on the brink of heresy,” Barth invites readers to embrace the unsettling truth of the Gospel, which, in his view, always confronts human presuppositions (Gaventa, 11).
Barth’s Method: A Theological Turn in Biblical Exegesis
One of the standout aspects of this collection is its exploration of Barth’s theological exegesis, which contrasts sharply with historical-critical approaches. Barth’s commentary is not just a scholarly exercise; it’s a theological act that speaks directly to the present. As John M.G. Barclay notes, Barth was more interested in exploring the subject matter of Romans—the theology of God’s righteousness and the power of the Gospel—rather than following traditional exegetical methods. Theological exegesis, Barclay writes, is “not a betrayal of biblical studies, but its fullest form” (Barclay, 13).
The essays in this book acknowledge Barth’s debt to the historical-critical method but emphasize his belief that theology must come first when interpreting Scripture. This perspective, which is often referred to as Sachexegese (or “subject-matter exegesis”), challenges biblical scholars to engage with the text in a way that prioritizes its theological content over mere historical reconstruction (Chalamet, 5).
Contextualizing Barth: Theological Ethics, Politics, and Beyond
Another key theme in the volume is the relationship between Barth’s theological ethics and his politics. As the book moves into the sections on ethics and politics, readers are reminded of Barth's radical stance on issues such as predestination, grace, and human agency. Sarah Stewart-Kroeker’s exploration of Barth’s ecological reading of Romans 8:18–25 and Amy Marga's essay on reading Barth in a postcolonial context show how his theology has continuing implications for contemporary issues (Stewart-Kroeker, 297; Marga, 349).
Moreover, the book delves into Barth's political theology, particularly his theological socialism, which became evident in his later work. The essays challenge readers to grapple with Barth’s engagement with the church and the world, urging a theology that does not shy away from confronting the societal structures of power and injustice (Chalamet, 139).
The Continued Relevance of Barth’s Theology
This volume not only looks back; it also points forward. While Barth’s commentary has long been recognized for its revolutionary impact, this work demonstrates its ongoing relevance. The essays ask: How can Barth’s theology still speak to us today, a century after the publication of his Römerbrief? What does it offer current theological debates, particularly in light of contemporary political and ecological crises?
Barth’s insistence on God's transcendence and humanity's ultimate inability to bridge the gap between the Creator and the created may appear stark, but his call to abandon any human-centric understanding of God’s grace remains a powerful challenge. The book demonstrates that, despite the passage of time, Barth’s work retains its capacity to provoke and unsettle, inviting new generations of theologians to engage deeply with the text of Scripture (McCormack, 109).
Conclusion: A Timely Reassessment of a Theological Classic
Karl Barth’s Epistle to the Romans: Retrospect and Prospect is an essential read for anyone interested in the legacy of Barth’s theology. It is a timely reminder of the radical nature of his work, which continues to inspire theological reflection and debate. This collection serves as a critical reassessment of Barth’s legacy and a reaffirmation of the enduring relevance of his theological insights. Whether you are a scholar of Barth, a student of theology, or simply a reader interested in how ancient texts continue to speak to contemporary issues, this book is a thought-provoking and enriching addition to the conversation.
