Karl Barth's 14-Volume Church Dogmatics
Barth’s impact on the study of theology is immense, not only in his systematic and dogmatic constructions, but also in his construal of the history of church doctrine. One of Barth’s legacies was the inauguration of generations of historiography that sought to distinguish between the core insights of the Reformation and in the Barthian judgment the scholastic trappings that shrouded Calvin and to a greater extent the succeeding generations of Protestant orthodox theologians. Jordan J. Ballor
My wife and father teamed up to buy me Karl Barth’s 14-volume English translation of Church Dogmatics, making this (my 48th) one of the more meaningful birthday celebrations since childhood.
I’ve already situated the set on my desktop shelves, right here in front of my laptop, just above my Collected C.G. Jung.
I know, I know — my enthusiasm will not be shared by most.
For me, however, to be confronted daily by this much intellectual virtuosity, knowledge, synthesis and insight is a mystical boon — and if you’ve ever read the prose of either Barth or Jung (even in translation), you know what a stream-of-consciousness psychedelic experience it often is.
Now, the most amazing part.
This set is priced at the publisher’s website for $995.00 US. At Amazon, they’ve got it for $671.62.
But… at Christianbook, you, too, may receive this theological treasure for the low, low price of… $99.00.
Or… if you’re really into this thing, you can cough up $395.00 (down from $1095.00) at Christianbook for a paperback Church Dogmatics Study Edition 31-volume set, from T&T Clark International. For the extra bucks, you get the original German beside a revised English translation — and, hey, it’s only money, right?
As for me, I couldn’t be happier than to receive this handsome Hendrickson hardback set, into which I am about to dive headlong.
Yippee!!!!!!!
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November 20, 2010 at 12:52 pm
adreampuppet
P.S.
The alert eye will notice that the publisher-provided photo of the set has the books in reverse order. I only noticed because the spine embossing is color-coded, and the set I’m looking at on my desk is arranged in the proper order.
Are they messin’ with us?
November 20, 2010 at 6:02 pm
adreampuppet
Here is Hans Kung on Barth, from Kung’s memoir:
Guess I’ll need to get Kung’s book now… oy…..
November 20, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Craig
Happy Birthday, Mike. Are not yippees grand? Enjoy. Thanks for being Mike.
November 20, 2010 at 10:43 pm
adreampuppet
Thanks, Craig. I’m in my last hour and 15 minutes as a 47-year-old… losing my grip…. argh…..
November 21, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Jhananda
Receiving Karl Barth’s 14-Volume Church Dogmatics sounds like a great gift. I am curious, does he point out that where it states in John that Jesus was the “only begotten son of God,” is actually a translation error? And, does he also point out that Trinitarian philosophy did not arrive in Christianity until the 4th century?
November 21, 2010 at 1:54 pm
adreampuppet
Well, Jeffrey, Barth would’ve been a good person with whom to discuss these things, as he knew the original languages backward and forward, and was probably the most knowledgeable church historian of the 20th century. I am approximately 20 pages into the 9000+ in this set, so it may be a while before I can give an answer. I do know that the assertions you make would evoke strong opinions in many directions, as much of the “alternative theology” that has been popularized by the Jesus Seminar authors is not considered by many academics to be reliable in their conclusions. Marcus Borg, Bishop John Spong and Bart Ehrman would be examples of Jesus Seminar authors. Hardcore theologians like Herman Waetjen (expert on Johanine writings, current professor at my dad’s alma mater San Francisco Theological Seminary) — who has memorized the scriptures in the original language, in all of the manuscript purmutations — give a much more nuanced and complete picture of early document development. We’ll talk….
November 21, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Jhananda
As you know, I am well aware that many Therevadan Buddhist priests and scholars believe that they read and understand the Pali language of the original Discourses of the Buddha and also believe they “have memorized the scriptures in the original language, in all of the manuscript permutations,” however, none of them have taken into account language shift since its original redaction to the point that almost all of the abstract concepts in early Buddhist literature are grossly misinterpreted today. So, I can only assume that the same is true for most Christian theologens. Thus, I look forward to this dialog with you, and trust that you are mature enough as a contemplative and mystic to be able to expose the lies that have become accepted Christian theology.
November 21, 2010 at 9:28 pm
adreampuppet
Well, Jeffrey, as I’ve mentioned before, the “unbelievable” beliefs about Christianity that are a stumbling block for others don’t seem to matter so much to me any more. I’m more interested in looking at it from the perspective of the Early Fathers who were ecstatic mystics, as well as the many contemplatives we’ve included on the list of emblematic ecstatics. The mystery of the Trinity is part of this perspective, especially when woven into the overall Christian salvation narrative (i.e., Original Sin at the Fall of Adam and Eve, the human depravity that fills much of Israel’s wandering in the Old Testament, the Incarnation, the Passion, the Resurrection, the Ascension, Pentecost — there is a powerful symbolic journey there, even if one cannot accept the whole thing at face value). I’ve not fully unpacked it, but am feeling my way along (on the wings of the Buddha’s instructions for meditative attainment, of course) while honoring the tradition of my father, his father and so many others in my family heritage. Before coming awake to the ecstatic and immersing in the Buddhadhamma, I was not prepared for this journey — which is another validation of the Buddha’s amazingingly “crystalline” presentation of the universal Path.
In any case, exposing “lies that have become accepted Christian theology” would better be left to those who feel the need to go there. Christian theology is such a vast thing, and I only have so many years left in this lifetime. My father is a theologian, and he is drawn to a particular perspective associated with Higher Criticism, which has deconstructed many of the sacred cows carried forward from the Dark Ages and before, and I’m always astounded by the level of understanding that some of these guys bring to a discussion of Early Christianity. N.T. Wright is another good one to read — while he may believe a few things that are “unbelievable,” there is a recognition that some things simply cannot be known with the scanty record that’s come down to us.
My last thought it, there is an “apples and oranges” effect when attempting to compare Eastern religious authority with Christian theology. While I agree with you that the guardians of Pali have consciously misinterpreted that language in support of a false presentation of the Eightfold Path (i.e., “dry” verses the original “wet). In Christian theology, there is no monolithic Authority — there are hundreds of schools of thought, which means that it takes a LOT of discernment for one to find a set of schools that have their heads screwed on straight. Most of it is completely wacked — I’ll give you that — but some of it is the “real deal,” and deserves (in my opinion) a respectful hearing. Barth, to me, is representative of this later category.
November 22, 2010 at 10:21 am
jhananda
I look forward to reading your unpacking of early Christian doctrine in search of the mystic’s path
November 22, 2010 at 10:31 am
adreampuppet
Thank you, Jeffrey, for helping me to flesh all of this out. Your comments and questions, and the underlying unconditional, patient support is just the sort impetus I need to focus on what really matters to me. At this point, it seems like the Christian “myth” (stated above in my last comment — about the Fall and so forth) can be filtered through the ecstatic perspective in a way that does not “leave the reservation.” I’m beginning to hear from pastors and church associates who actually have contemplative practices and are yearning for some sort of direction. This may be the time to offer something to them….