Skip to main content

Barth's Theme - Not I, but Christ

Karl Barth is not the Name. 
Jesus, for salvation, came.
Barth points us to the One,
Jesus Christ, God’s only Son.

If Barth were here today, 
I think he would still say,
Look from Barth, look away. 
Look to Jesus, he would say.

Karl Barth spoke of Christ’s grace. 
Yes! Karl Barth knew his place.
He did not seek the glory. 
He wrote to tell Christ’s story.

Look! Here comes Doctor Barth! 
It doesn’t sound quite right!
If God’s Word claims our heart, 
“Jesus only” is in our sight.

“Barth is small. Christ is great.” 
This is what “KB” said.
We’re in an awful state,
When we say “Barth is great ...”.

Karl Barth wrote many books. 
What were they all about?
To Jesus Christ he looks. 
Let’s get His message out.

Words of Christ's text are few.* 
They are addressed to you.
“The Bible tells us so”,
And Jesus helps us grow.

Karl Barth said, “Less of me.”
More of Christ may we see.
When we read Barth’s CD,**
May Christ be all we see.

Karl Barth calls us to praise. 
Our songs to Christ we raise.
With the Lord we will win. 
He is Victor over sin.

Dare we forget Karl Barth?***
Let Jesus fill your heart,
This, he asks us to do: 
Trust in Christ. He loves you.

If you and I do this, 
Barth’s point we will not miss.
Put Jesus first and not KB. 
Jesus’ people we must be.
-----
* Here, I am thinking of a sermon preached on 2 Corinthians 12:9 in which Barth contrasted the many books he had written and the few words of his text, "My grace is sufficient with you." He said that we may forget all that he says, but we must hold on to these few words: "My grace is sufficient for you."
** CD = "Church Dogmatics", not "Compact Disc"!!
*** The name Barth is pronounced Barth. The h is silent.
-----
These thoughts about Karl Barth are offered in a spirit of critical appreciation. What I am saying is an echo of what Barth himself said. Whatever importance Karl Barth may have had, this is nothing compared with the importance of Jesus Christ.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Berkouwer’s “Holy Scripture” and E J Young’s “Thy Word is Truth”

E J Young argues that one’s doctrine of Scripture is derived from either experience or Scripture, either natural man or supernatural God. Young does speak of the human character of Scripture. It does, however, seem that the supernatural-natural dichotomy underlies his doctrine of Scripture. He turns to the Bible “to discover what it has to say of itself” (p. 40). It is questionable, however, whether his view is not grounded in a notion which tends to set divine and human activity over against each other. Young rejects a mechanical theory (p. 65). It does, however, appear that his own view is really no more than a modification of this view. His interpretation of the working of the Spirit in the inspiration of Scripture is not directly identifiable with mechanical dictation (pp. 79-80). It does seem, however, that there is a tendency to move in that direction.  * Here are some statements from Young.  - “Without Him (God) there could have been no Bible. Without man th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Psalm 72

Read the words - ‘His Name’ shall ‘endure for ever’(Psalm 72:17) - and think of Christ. His Name is ‘the Name above all other names’. He is ‘the King of kings and Lord of lords’(Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 19:16). Read the words - ‘all nations call Him blessed’(Psalm 72:17) - , and think of Christ. ‘From every tribe and language and people and nation’, God’s people have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ (Revelation 5:9). Read the words -‘May His glory fill the whole earth!’(Psalm 72:19) - and think of Christ. In the ‘new heaven and new earth’, ‘the holy city’ will shine with ‘the glory of God’. ‘Its radiance’, ‘like a very precious jewel’, will be shining from this ‘lamp’: Jesus Christ, ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’(Revelation 21:1-2,10-11,23; John 1:29).
Post a Comment
Read more

Berkouwer on Barth’s Distinction Between Universal Election And Universal Salvation

Some people are impressed by Barth’s distinction between universal election and universal salvation. They defend his position. Some have been influenced by Barth and have become universalists. Berkouwer’s view was that our critique of Barth must begin with looking closely at his teaching concerning universal election. * By speaking of the idea of the depth-aspect of salvation, Berkouwer distances himself from double predestination. * In his critique of Barth, Berkouwer distances himself from universal salvation. * With such a strong emphasis on both grace and faith, Berkouwer guards against any suggestion that, by our faith, we contribute anything to our salvation. It is always God’s free gift, and all the glory belongs to Him. I think that the distinctive feature of Berkouwer’s teaching is that he emphasizes that everything we say about God’s salvation is said from within the experience of having been saved by grace through faith. We have heard the Good News - “Christ Jesus came...
Post a Comment
Read more