Karl Barth, Forty Years Later.

Today, we remember the fortieth anniversary of Karl Barth's death.

I.

The TASK OF DOGMATICS

    As a theological discipline dogmatics is the scientific self-examination of the Christian Church with respect to the content of its distinct talk about God.

I. THE CHURCH, THEOLOGY, SCIENCE

    Dogmatics is a theological discipline. But theology is a function of the Church.
   
    The Church confesses God as it talks about God. It does so first by its existence in the action of each individual believer. And it does so secondly by its specific action as a fellowship, in proclamation by preaching and the administration of the sacraments, in worship, in its internal and external mission including works of love amongst the sick, the weak and those in jeopardy. Fortunately the reality of the Church does not coincide with its action. But its action coincides with the fact that alike in its existence in believers and its communal existence as such it speaks about God. Its action is "theology" in both the broader and the narrower sense.

- Church Dogmatics I.1, p. 3

It's hard to believe that it has been forty years since this theological juggernaut, the man who dropped the bombshell on the theological playground, passed away. He is one of the great legends of not only twentieth century theology, but Western theology, itself, offering a new rethinking of theology and God's lovingkindness in and for the world. His words about the Word baffle, strengthen, enlighten and challenge us all.

Let us play a little Mozart for him, tonight, in his honor and memory...