Posts Tagged ‘Karl Barth’

I have compiled a Christmas list for those who desire to buy me gifts. I do not think anyone reading this will buy me any of these things (or anything, at all), but I am interested in hearing what you want for Christmas, also.

1. Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth by John Franke    Amazon.com    $12.24 | Buy.com    $10.89
2. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas [DVD]    Amazon.com    $18.99 | Buy.com    $18.86 | Overstock.com    $16.82
3. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 4 [3 Discs] [DVD]    Barnes & Noble    $27.99 | Target    $39.98
4. Two pairs of jeans    Gap    ? | Levi    ?
5. Two pairs of dress pants    Express    ? |  Gap   ?
6. Church Dogmatics  by Karl Barth (paperback) Christianbook.com    $499.99
7. Unlocking Romans: Resurrection and the Justification of God by J. R. Daniel Kirk    Buy.com    $20.43 | Amazon.com    $21.12
8. Apple gift cards towards a new laptop!    Apple.com    Any amount

What are you asking for this Christmas?

Here’s an interesting quote I came across in my reading of Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics Vol. I.2:

The freedom of the Word of God in regard to the government of the Church means that in all circumstances the Church walks in the way which was yesterday indicated to it by Scripture; in a way, therefore, where to-day it is willing and ready to take fresh directions with the obedient spirit it showed yesterday. Just for this reason, exegesis in the Church cannot and must not be discontinued. Each new day its task consists in tracing out the particular freedom which the Word of God takes to-day in the course of its government of the Church. But here again we conclude with the reminder that at this focal point of the Church’s action the decisive activity is prayer, the giving of thanks for the reality of this government and the petition that it may never cease to be a reality. Because it is the decisive activity prayer must take precedence even of exegesis, and in no circumstance must it be suspended.

[p. 695. Barth, K. Church dogmatics: the doctrine of the Word of God, second half-volume. Eds., Bromiley, G. W. & T. F. Torrance. Edinburgh: T & T Clark]

I often do not look at prayer as it “must take precedence even of exegesis.” I’ve always found myself seeing exegesis as more important than prayer in all things. However, I’ve been somewhat conflicted recently when thinking about the lack of my prayer life. It’s poor, plain, poor. Perhaps, I am seeing prayer as secondary to exegesis or theological studies? Barth seems to think the opposite must be true for the Church. Whereas intellectual pursuit brings my mind into the presence of the transcendent, prayer seems to bring all of myself into the transcendent, and maybe that’s what Barth is saying here–prayer is vital to the Church, and it must be our priority.

Do you agree with Barth’s statement?

I haven’t blogged in awhile. Since my new job has started, I have been incredibly busy, but now things are slowing down; and I am glad to give an update.

Highlights:
1. We had an awesome vacation in North Carolina. Giselle loved the beach–sand and water. She gets really excited to be in the “wa-wa” (water), and every time she sees it she wants to be in it.
2. With that being said, we also took her to Sesame Place. She enjoyed the “wa-wa” there too. She gets really excited and starts to squeal with joy when she is splashing in it.
3. The Cliff Lee trade has been the best move the Phillies have done in awhile. He’s 5-0 with .98 ERA since coming to Philadelphia, and I’m sniffing another championship.
4. The Mets are collapsing. I would be lying if I said I was sad, but really it’s nice to see them in double digits behind the Phillies in the NL East.
5. My new job as Resident Director for Philadelphia Biblical University has been a lot of fun, even though it’s been a lot of work. I really enjoy the people I work with, and I am ready for the school year.

What I’ve Been Reading:
1. I haven’t had the chance to read much, but when I have I’m reading Barth’s Church Dogmatics I.2.
2. Also, I’ve been digging into Walter Brueggemann’s The Prophetic Imagination. It’s an excellent book. He’s not evangelical so there are some things I struggle with in this interpretation, but overall it’s a wonderful read.

Repeat on my iPod:
1. I finally got mewithoutyou’s new album It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All a Dream! It’s Alright. It’s a little more folksy than expected but still awesome in a way only mewithoutyou can be.
2. Also, I joined the fun with Derek Webb’s Stockholm Syndrome. He’s lyrics are very thought-provoking, and I’m hoping to see him at Revelation Generation (if I go).

What I’m Looking Forward to:
1. Seminary classes are beginning again in September. This is my last year, which is bittersweet. I love Biblical Seminary, and, if you are interested in a progressive evangelical seminary, Biblical is the way to go.
2. Less busy = more time with Amanda.
3. My brother, Jon’s, wedding is coming up in September. I also have his bachelor party this weekend, which I still am not sure what we are exactly doing, but it will be fun regardless.
4. Revelation Generation. I’m hoping to go, but I’ll have to see about getting tickets. It’s $75, but the lineup is pretty sick.
5. Blogging more. Let’s be honest…you missed me.

Princeton Theological Seminary has begun a study on the works of N.T. Wright called the “N.T. Wright Project” and will be blogging about it here.

A recent post called “Violence, Monsters, and the Ascension: Barth and Wright on the Problem of War” caught my eye since I’d been reading Barth and love N.T. Wright. The post intends to juggle both Barth’s view on ethics and Wright’s view on discipleship in light of the debate between war and non-violence. Being a proponent of non-violent Christianity made the post irresistable. When you have a moment, read the post. I’m interested in hearing your comments here on this site.

Excerpt:

I’m with Barth in thinking that Christian ethics isn’t frozen and fixed but dynamic, since it constitutes obedience to the living Word that continues to be spoken today in Jesus Christ. But I don’t know if I can go along with Barth in leaving the possibility open that Jesus will command his followers to use violence and wage war. Here’s where we can bring Wright’s thoughts into play…      more…

Q: How do you feel about Barth’s view on ethics?

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the author’s convergence of Barth’s and Wright’s thought?

I didn’t know Karl Barth was so involved with Columbus, Ohio’s police department, but I found a statement by him that is likely unknown to Barthian scholars–

“Most accidents are caused by driver inattention combined with too much speed”…

[and in classic Barthian paradox] “And, of course, in the most serious accidents, one or two types of things almost always occurs: speed and drunk driving,” Barth said. “Sometimes both.”

Question to ponder: what does this mean for our understanding of his “dialectical” method? Did Barth abandon it?

Read more here. The amazing things you find with Google Alerts!

Recent Highlights:

1. Giselle is now walking! One day, she decided it was about time she started and became a pro overnight. With this being said, she’s much more fun than she was. We can go outside, and she’ll explore. It’s really cute.
2. I went to two Phillies games last week. One was with Amanda and Giselle for Mother’s Day. The Phillies lost, but it was still nice to go. The other was with my friend Thomas, who is a Dodgers fan, so naturally we went to a Dodgers game, and naturally the Phillies lost. We had fun though.
3. Giselle can say “baseball,” which is awesome itself, but the fact that she can recognize it while at a field or on TV is even cooler.
4. Amanda and I went to my seminary retreat. It was a much-needed break from everything. We actually had some time to talk and be with each other, which doesn’t happen much (I’m discovering) when you have small child. Meredith Wheeler was the speaker, and he spoke about the pain that ministers experience from the people they are ministering to. What? The church isn’t perfect? That’s right world. We aren’t. But there’s hope—and that’s Jesus Christ.

Job update: I had/have two “second interviews” for ministry jobs so we’ll see.

Seminary update: Began a new class called Organizational Assessment and Change. I’m not a huge fan of leadership classes, but this seems to be the most applicable in many ministry situations. Also, I will begin my independent study called “The Theology of Karl Barth” soon. I’m excited about this one since it will be with a few of us and John Franke (our professor), and we will be meeting at a pub or someplace instead of in a class room.

Disappointed by:

1. I don’t know if one would consider this a disappointment, but I have to read seven books by June 9. I read one already, but it will be a lot of work.
2. The Cavs. How could you lose game 1 to the Magic??? Lebron, let me speak to you for a moment – Hog…the…ball. Score 70 points if you have to. Just don’t give it up.

Books I’m reading:

1. N.T. Wright’s Justification: God’s Plan & Paul’s Vision. I read about the first chapter, and I loved it. However, I have way too much to read for seminary so I’m putting this on hold.
2. Seminary reading

• “Organizational Assessment and Change” -  Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey. I accidentally bought the workbook (which I’m sending back) so I purchased the book for a friend and paid about $1.50 for the upgrade so I can read it online. Suckers.
• Independent study “The Theology of Karl Barth” (1) The Great Passion: An Introduction to Karl Barth’s Theology by Eberhard Busch. (2) Barth for the Armchair Theologians by John Franke, who is my independent study advisor. I know it’s much more novice than the above book, but I really liked this one (yes, I finished this one already).

Looking forward to:

1. The school year is ending on June 9 for Amanda so she’ll be around more.
2. Getting a full-time job. It’s gonna happen soon. I feel it.