God Here and Now by Karl Barth Summary

God Here and Now explores core Christian themes like revelation, grace, and ethics through seven essays. Barth argues God becomes knowable through Jesus, scripture, and preaching ("secondary objectivity"), bridging divine transcendence with human experience. It distills his theology into accessible insights on encountering God in modern life, addressing the Bible’s authority, the Church’s role, and critiques of humanism.

Theology students, pastors, and readers interested in 20th-century Protestant thought will benefit most. Its concise format suits those new to Barth’s dense Church Dogmatics, while seasoned theologians gain clarity on his views of revelation and ethics. Christians seeking deeper engagement with grace and scriptural interpretation will also find it valuable.

Yes, for its concise introduction to Barth’s theology. While some concepts remain challenging, the essays clarify his belief in God’s presence through flawed human mediums like the Church. Critics note its implicit arguments, but it remains a seminal primer on his mature thought.

Barth describes revelation as God’s "secondary objectivity" – His choice to become knowable through Jesus, scripture, and preaching despite their human limitations. This "miracle" allows the transcendent God to engage humanity directly, transforming theology from abstract doctrine into lived experience.

The Church mediates God’s revelation through preaching and sacraments but remains a flawed, human institution. Barth stresses its mission to proclaim Christ’s grace, not moralize, while critiquing its alignment with secular power structures like nationalism.

Barth ties ethics to divine command rather than human reasoning. Moral action flows from encountering God’s grace, rejecting rigid rules. He emphasizes responsibility to neighbors, reflecting Christ’s love in social and political contexts.

Barth rejects humanism’s reliance on human achievement, arguing it distracts from dependence on God’s grace. His 1949 Geneva address warns against conflating societal progress with divine purpose, urging humility before revelation.

Scripture’s authority derives from its role in revelation, not historical accuracy. Barth sees it as a dynamic witness to Christ, requiring interpretation through faith rather than literalism.

Shorter and more accessible, God Here and Now simplifies key themes without the exhaustive detail of his 12,000-page Dogmatics. It’s ideal for newcomers, though scholars may prefer the latter’s depth.

Some find Barth’s arguments overly implicit or philosophically dense, requiring supplemental readings. Others argue his focus on divine transcendence downplays human agency in ethical decisions.

Its critique of institutional hypocrisy and emphasis on grace resonate amid modern crises of faith. Barth’s call to confront societal injustices through Christ-centered ethics offers a framework for navigating cultural polarization.

While direct quotes vary by translation, key ideas include:

• “God shows He is so much God that He can also be not-God.”
• “The Church exists to proclaim what God has done, not what humans ought to do.”
• “Grace frees us for responsible action, not from it.”