Karl Barth and the Problem of War, and Other Essays on Barth
- Theology
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2003
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Publisher's Description
A passionate opponent of Nazism, Karl Barth was required to serve in the Swiss army. At the age of 54, he helped guard the Swiss border at Basel from German intruders. Some would suggest this is all we need to know in order to understand Barth's views on Christianity and war. John Howard Yoder begged to differ. "Karl Barth and the Problem of War" is an essay in which Yoder articulates the views of his former teacher on war, these views comprising a position he refers to as "chastened non-pacifism." Through a rigorous examination of Barth's ethical method, Yoder seeks to show how the logic of Barth's basic theological commitments makes him even closer to pacifism than is often noticed. Here five additional essays, three of which have never before been published, join this long essay. These essays offer further reflections on Barth's "chastened non-pacifism," as well as offering some of Yoder's fruitful use of Barth's theology for social ethics.
Endorsements (5)
“In these pages one of the 20th century's most important figures in Christian social ethics engages with another over a period of thirty years, with the result that light shines on both. John Howard Yoder's 1970 study of Karl Barth on the problem of war is a classic piece of critical interpretation of Barth's ethical thought, and it remains one of the most searching English-language analyses of his treatment of a particular moral issue and of his 'casuistical' method. It has been long out of print and, like most of the other essays helpfully gathered together in this book, difficult to obtain. Anyone who cares about method in theological ethics, the theological integrity of Christian social ethics, the political witness of the Church, and Christian views of peace and war now owes Mark Thiessen Nation a debt of thanks for bringing this material (back) within reach.”
“John Howard Yoder was a theologically rigorous and passionate advocate of Christian pacifism and a perceptive reader of Karl Barth. These attributes were fully displayed in his early book on Barth's ethic of war, now happily reprinted in this new edition edited by Mark Thiessen Nation.”
“In engaging with a world which relies on violence to settle disputes, for which profit is the bottom line, and which idolizes success, no-one is more helpful for Christian life than Karl Barth. And in helping us to understand Barth's true radicalism, in assessing its strength and weakness, in bringing us closer to the true astringency of the gospel, no-one is more helpful than John Howard Yoder. These essays are an addition to that small collection of books which genuinely further Christian discipleship and which address us, and help us address our world, with the claim of Jesus Christ.”
“One of the best ways to enter into Barth's ethics is through a specific topic. No better example of this approach can be found than John Howard Yoder's classic study of Barth's stance toward the problem of war. The original edition of this work is now reissued with a number of supporting essays. In one of them, I have found Yoder's reference to the little-known work of Walter Bense on Barth's early pacifism to be especially useful in charting Barth's complexity and ambivalence toward 'practical pacifism' (and sometimes 'chastened non-pacifism') over the course of his career.”
“John Howard Yoder was reading Barth as a political theologian many years before it became fashionable to do so. His vigorous and challenging interpretations - and criticisms - take us straight into the heart of Barth's moral project. These splendid essays are for all who care about a biblical and ecclesial Christian theology.”
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