David L. Mueller - Karl Barth

During the period from 1932 to 1967 Barth published thirteen volumes of his Church Dogmatics totaling over 9000 pages in German! Obviously, it is quite presumptuous to write a brief introduction to the thought of a theologian who may be called a modern Church Father. Nevertheless, the attempt has been made. Whether the most important things which ought to go into such an introduction have been said and whether the analysis is reliable are for others to judge.

It is not possible to survey the entire Church Dogmatics in one small volume. Therefore, after an analysis of Barths early development, major attention is accorded the doctrine of revelation, which bears upon everything else Barth writes. The third chapter is an analysis of some aspects of Barths christocentric theology. The conclusion is an assessment of both some of the strengths and weaknesses of Barths theology.

Throughout, it is my intention to interpret Barth fairly. Numerous quotations are used in order to provide the reader with something of the flavor of Barths method and style. In most instances, I have used the official English translation of the Church Dogmatics. Though I have profited from reading some of Barths critics, limitations of space precluded much dialogue with them. A Protestant, Thomas F. Torrance, and a Roman Catholic, Hans Urs von Balthasar, have been the most helpful interpreters of Barth with respect to his theological method and the transitions in his pilgrimage. My hope is that this work will whet the readers appetite to the extent that he will read Barth on his own.

My father, William A. Mueller, was the first to introduce me to Barths thought. In the early thirties, he wrote a doctoral dissertation dealing with the dialectical theology of the early Barth; some twenty-five years later (1958), I completed a doctoral dissertation at Duke University dealing with Barths theological method. During the year 195960, I took a leave of absence from Baylor University in order to pursue post-graduate studies at the University of Basel in Switzerland. I am indebted to the J. Newton Ravzor Foundation for providing a grant which helped make that venture possible. The courtesies which Professor Barth extended me and the frequent contacts with him which seminars and colloquia made possible during that year will not be forgotten.

This book is dedicated to three people who shared in the joys of that year in Basel. Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Thompson, my wifes parents, visited us in Basel and shared in the excitement which marked participation in one of the English colloquia chaired by the grand old man of Basel, Karl Barth. My wife Marilyn enriched the time we spent together in Basel and our common pilgrimage in the intervening years.