Ever Against the Stream

Book excerpt: "Frank Jehle has accomplished the feat of writing a short, precise introduction to Karl Barth the theologian in relation to the world of politics. In Jehle we have a clear and helpful interpreter who shows, rightly, Barth swimming ever against the stream." Eberhard Busch "In this thorough study Jehle analyzes Barth's political views from the beginning of his career until the day before his death. This comprehensive approach clearly demonstrates how Barth, despite his unpredictability in the political realm, was remarkably consistent and faithful to his conviction that the justice and grace of God must inform all our political utterances and actions. Ultimately, what emerges from this fine study is a portrait of a courageous political thinker who never hesitated to challenge prevailing views and who strove to join the spiritual and the political." John Hesselink Western Theological Seminary "Ever against the Stream is an engaging narrative that chronicles Barth's involvement in the political realm, whether advocating for the workers in his congregation, speaking against National Socialism in Germany and in Switzerland, or taking a more subdued public posture toward communism. Drawing from his many speeches and letters, the book presents a nuanced and sympathetic appraisal of Barth's positions throughout his life and within the context of his theological framework. His failure at first to perceive dangers inherent in communism is balanced by his forward-looking perception of dangers within National Socialism and within the quietism of his fellow Swiss citizens during that time. He was often silenced. Barth made enemies among those in the church who wanted to turn the state into an absolute. But he called for Christians to be engaged in the world nonetheless, and he lived out such an existence. Frank Jehle's narrative is riveting, his observations carefully stated, and he responds to those who wrote Barth off as a troublemaker or out of touch. Jehle also goes to great pains to show how Barth's positions were caricatured and then rejected or taken out of context, possibly because his observations were so accurate. The little side trips into Barth's personal interactions with other key figures of his day are fascinating, enlightening, and fitting." Thomas Trapp Concordia University