Bibliography
of Karl Barth
The secondary literature
on Barth is vast. The following
titles are intended to help students who are beginning their study of Barth’s
theology.
BIOGRAPHIES
Busch, E.; Karl
Barth
This huge work is considered the definitive biography
of Barth. It is highly recommended
and can be used as a reference tool for
all areas of Barth’s thought and the development thereof.
Parker, T.H.L.; Karl
Barth
This is a much smaller, more
manageable work for neophytes. It
acquaints the reader with an overview of
Barth’s life and work. Its brevity
does not sacrifice accuracy. (Parker
is also a superb Calvin scholar.)
DISCUSSIONS OF
BARTH’S THEOLOGY
Berkouwer, G.; The
Triumph of Grace in the Theology of Karl Barth
The book delivers what it promises: a critical
exposition of Barth in the light of Barth’s conviction concerning the triumph
of God’s grace.
Bromiley, G.; Introduction
to the Theology of Karl Barth
Bromiley’s work is everywhere lucid and accurate.
His book is the best guide to reading Barth in the order of the succeeding volumes of the
Church Dogmatics
This book is highly recommended for those who are approaching CD for the first time.
Dorrien, G.; The Barthian Revolt in Modern
Theology
This book unfolds the manner
in which Barth put 20th Century theology on a new course.
Hart, T.; Regarding Karl Barth: Toward a
Readindg of His Theology
The fact that this book is
published by IVP indicates the recognition of IVP, together with that of
its supporters, Barth’s thought.
Hartwell, H.; The
Theology of Karl Barth
Hartwell’s book is one of the older discussions of
Barth’s theology. It treats Barth topically rather than in the order of CD.
It can always be relied on to provide a clear, succinct statement
of major aspects of Barth’s thought.
Hunsinger, G.; How to Read Karl Barth
This work acquaints readers
with the logic of Barth’s thought in the course of expounding Barth’s
approach to major doctrines.
McCormack, B.; Karl
Barth’s Critically Realistic Dialectical Theology
This book explores both the immediate antecedents to Barth’s theology and
unfolding of Barth’s “Copernican Revolution” in theology.
Torrance
, T.; Karl Barth:
Biblical and Evangelical Theologian.
Torrance
discusses several features of Barth’s thought from the perspective of
Barth’s faithfulness to the logic of the
gospel.
Torrance
, T.; Karl Barth: An Introduction to His
Early Thought: 1910-1931
This is a fine exploration
of the theo-logic of Barth’s move to a genuinely “scientific”
(wissenschaftlich) theology.
Von Balthasar, H.; The Theology of Karl
Barth
Von Balthasar is a major Roman Catholic reader of Karl
Barth.
Webster, J.; Barth
Webster is undoubtedly one
of the finest Barth scholars in the English-speaking world.
His work provides a very readable introduction to Barth’s thought.
Webster, J. (ed.); The
Cambridge
Companion to Karl Barth
A compilation of essays on
assorted topics by assorted scholars, this book examines in greater
depth areas of Barth where his theology has proved unusually fruitful.
