October Book Notes
Companions to Karl Barth's Theology
Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of Book Notes! This month, we explore three works that contain a variety of essays on the life, theology, and interlocutors central to Karl Barth. The Cambridge Companion to Karl Barth, Oxford Handbook of Karl Barth, and Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth are three indispensable works for anyone studying Barth’s life and theology. While each book offers a comprehensive overview of Barth, their respective structure, approach, and thematic focus differ. This short overview cannot provide an exhaustive account of each chapter. Still, I will explore each volume's content, contributions, and methodologies and contrast their unique strengths and areas of overlap.
The Cambridge Companion to Karl Barth
John Webster, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Karl Barth (Cambridge University Press, 2000), ix–312. ISBN 978-0521585606
The Cambridge Companion series provides accessible yet scholarly introductions to key figures in various academic disciplines. In this spirit, The Cambridge Companion to Karl Barth presents a well-rounded introduction to Barth’s theology aimed at students and non-specialist readers. Edited by the late John Webster, a highly respected Barth scholar and systematic theologian, this volume offers a coherent and systematic presentation of Barth’s thought.
Among the many virtues of this text are its thematic clarity and simplicity. The contributors in this volume focus on explaining key concepts in Barth’s theology, such as the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of God, Christology, and Holy Scripture. It provides helpful context for Barth’s engagement with the Church Fathers, his contribution to Protestant theology, and his impact on ecumenical discourse. Webster's essay on the doctrine of revelation stands out as an exemplary piece of scholarship, distilling Barth’s complex theology into accessible language.
The Oxford Handbook of Karl Barth
Paul T. Nimmo and Paul Dafydd Jones, eds., The Oxford Handbook of Karl Barth (Oxford University Press, 2020), xiii–736. ISBN 978-0199689781
The Oxford Handbook series provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approaches to key scholarship and figures across various disciplines. The Oxford Handbook of Karl Barth, edited by Paul T. Nimmo and Paul Dafydd Jones, is no different and excellently exemplifies this model. This handbook takes a broader and more exhaustive approach than the Cambridge Companion, offering an extensive collection of essays—it covers Barth’s theology, biography, cultural context, and lasting influence across various theological and philosophical traditions.
The major strength of the Oxford Handbook lies in its breadth. This dense tome includes essays on Barth’s engagement with major theological figures (such as Anselm, Luther, and Calvin) and his relationship with existentialism, Catholicism, and liberation theology. The contributors represent a range of academic backgrounds, allowing for a diversity of perspectives and methodologies. This broad scope gives the reader a sense of Barth’s far-reaching influence and the complexity of his thought. Readers should pay close attention to Willie James Jennings's fantastic chapter on “Barth and the Racial Imaginary,” which, among many other essays in this volume, provides an excellent example of constructive and critical engagement with Barth’s theology.
Wiley Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth
George Hunsinger and Keith L. Johnson, eds., Wiley Blackwell Companion to Karl Barth (Wiley-Blackwell, 2020), ix–1016. ISBN 978-1119156567.
The Wiley Blackwell Companion, edited by George Hunsinger and Keith L. Johnson, strikes an impressive balance for a two-volume work spanning over a thousand pages. Like the Oxford Handbook, this work is a comprehensive resource, but it offers a more systematic approach to Barth’s thought. The essays in this collection are scholarly and clear, making them useful for both students and researchers.
The Blackwell Companion is unique in emphasizing the methodological aspects of Barth’s theology. It explores Barth’s dialectical approach, methodological tendencies, and complicated relationship with Protestant Liberalism. The volumes pay particular attention to Barth’s Christocentric theology and its implications for ecclesiology, ethics, and politics. The contributions of George Hunsinger, one of the most recognized scholars in Barth studies and editor of this work, are especially insightful, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of Barth’s interpretative frameworks.
One of the Blackwell Companion's key strengths is its focus on ecumenical dialogue. While the Cambridge Companion touches on Barth’s relevance for Catholic-Protestant discussions, the Blackwell Companion delves deeper into Barth’s impact on ecumenical conversations, particularly through his work on the doctrine of reconciliation. Additionally, this volume is more attuned to contemporary theological concerns, especially gender, race, and global theologies. It is a valuable resource for those looking to apply Barth’s insights to modern debates.
Compared to the Oxford Handbook, the Blackwell Companion offers a more focused treatment of Barth’s core theological ideas without considering many biographical or contextual matters. However, this could be seen as a limitation for readers seeking a more holistic picture of Barth’s life and intellectual environment. While it lacks the exhaustive scope of the Oxford Handbook, it compensates by providing a clearer and more structured entry point into Barth’s theological method and contributions.
Conclusion
The Cambridge Companion, Oxford Handbook, and Blackwell Companion offer valuable resources for studying Karl Barth, but they cater to different audiences and purposes. The Cambridge Companion is the most accessible, providing a clear and concise introduction to Barth’s theology, making it ideal for beginners. The Oxford Handbook is the most comprehensive, offering a multi-disciplinary and exhaustive exploration of Barth’s life, work, and legacy. It is best suited for advanced students or scholars who want a deep dive into Barth’s impact on various fields. Finally, the Blackwell Companion balances accessibility and depth, providing a structured and systematic analysis of Barth’s theological method and its relevance for contemporary issues, making it an excellent resource for students and scholars.
In sum, while the topics covered by these volumes overlap significantly, each offers a distinct approach. Together, they provide a well-rounded yet comprehensive understanding of Karl Barth’s theology, ensuring that readers from various academic backgrounds can meaningfully engage with one of the most significant theologians of the 20th century.
That does it for this edition of Book Notes. I hope you enjoyed this edition’s exploration of key secondary resources on Karl Barth and his theology. If you want to see a book reviewed in Book Notes, please email me at hank.spaulding@ptsem.edu.
Until next time, be well, friends!
– Hank Spaulding
Pastor and Professor Spaulding, what a very helpful overview of the "Companions to Karl Barth's Theology." Thank you so very much.
James Kay
I just want to say - the Andrew Root book in the last batch of recomendations (Churches and the Crisis of Decline) has been super interesting, and some of his perspectives on Barth's views of the church have been very different to how I have seen Barth presented before - very thought provoking. (Also strangely relevant, as someone running a pastoral search committee in a small, midwestern church. I could have been reading my own minutes...)