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tdwightdavis's review against another edition
4.0
Overall pretty good, but each essay was less impressive than the one before it.
The first essay, Barth's critical reflections on 19th century theology, was a great read. Barth criticizes 19th century theology for becoming irrelevant as it gradually granted more and more ground to the rising social sciences. Barth also takes us on a quick tour of his early theology and what led him to the Krisis theology. Well argued and spot on.
The second essay is the titular essay. The title is more controversial for Barthians than the material is. Barth retains his theology of the otherness of God while trying to paint a picture of the humanity of God at the same time. He is not successful. God remains wholly other, too far removed from humanity in ways that I don't think hold up to scrutiny.
The final essay was all over the place. Supposedly an essay about ethics, it's actually 75% Barthian theology of God, 15% ethics, and 10% reflections on what makes a theologian. His ethics are far too abstract and lack any sort of concrete implications. I would go so far as to say that his ethical theory is borderline harmful and useless as presented here, offering no real ethical insight. I enjoyed the last bit about what makes a theologian.
This is a very basic and short work by Barth, much more lucid and easy to understand than most of his other work. Interesting and entertaining, and entirely worth it just for the first essay.
The first essay, Barth's critical reflections on 19th century theology, was a great read. Barth criticizes 19th century theology for becoming irrelevant as it gradually granted more and more ground to the rising social sciences. Barth also takes us on a quick tour of his early theology and what led him to the Krisis theology. Well argued and spot on.
The second essay is the titular essay. The title is more controversial for Barthians than the material is. Barth retains his theology of the otherness of God while trying to paint a picture of the humanity of God at the same time. He is not successful. God remains wholly other, too far removed from humanity in ways that I don't think hold up to scrutiny.
The final essay was all over the place. Supposedly an essay about ethics, it's actually 75% Barthian theology of God, 15% ethics, and 10% reflections on what makes a theologian. His ethics are far too abstract and lack any sort of concrete implications. I would go so far as to say that his ethical theory is borderline harmful and useless as presented here, offering no real ethical insight. I enjoyed the last bit about what makes a theologian.
This is a very basic and short work by Barth, much more lucid and easy to understand than most of his other work. Interesting and entertaining, and entirely worth it just for the first essay.
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