- 1. The Epistle to the Romans by Karl Barth is a seminal work of 20th-century theology that redefined the understanding of the Christian faith in the modern era. Written in the wake of World War I, Barth's interpretation of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans presents a radical departure from traditional theological perspectives. In this work, Barth emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the centrality of Jesus Christ, and the profound grace given to humanity through faith. He critiques liberal theology and aims to bring the church back to the core tenets of Christianity that emphasize the need for divine revelation as opposed to human reason. Through a series of profound theological insights, Barth argues that God's word is alive and active, calling believers to a relationship that transcends mere moralism or ethical behavior. Barth's Exegesis of Romans ignites a conversation about the nature of faith, grace, and the transformative power of God's love, and it has had a lasting impact on both Protestant theology and the way Christians engage with scripture. His work challenges readers to rethink their understanding of sin, redemption, and the role of the church in contemporary society, making it an essential text for anyone interested in the complexities of modern Christian thought.
What year was Karl Barth's commentary 'The Epistle to the Romans' first published?
A) 1934
B) 1905
C) 1919
D) 1927
- 2. Barth's 'Romans' commentary is often seen as a foundational text for what theological movement?
A) Liberation Theology
B) Dialectical Theology
C) Liberal Theology
D) Process Theology
- 3. Barth famously contrasted the Gospel with what, describing it as a 'wholly other' revelation?
A) Politics
B) Religion
C) Science
D) Philosophy
- 4. What is the role of faith, according to Barth's reading of Romans?
A) A human work that earns salvation
B) Receiving the gift of God's grace
C) An intellectual agreement with doctrines
D) A feeling of absolute dependence
- 5. Which existentialist philosopher's influence is detectable in Barth's 'Romans'?
A) Søren Kierkegaard
B) Jean-Paul Sartre
C) Martin Heidegger
D) Friedrich Nietzsche
- 6. How does Barth interpret the 'wrath of God' in Romans?
A) As a metaphor for natural disasters
B) As God's emotional anger
C) As the necessary consequence of God's 'No' to sin
D) As a primitive concept to be discarded
- 7. What is the significance of 'the moment' in Barth's commentary?
A) It denotes the end of the world
B) It is a psychological state of enlightenment
C) It refers to the historical moment of Paul's writing
D) It is the time of decision before God's judgment
- 8. How does Barth view the role of history in understanding the Bible?
A) It proves the Bible's factual inerrancy
B) Historical criticism is useful but secondary to theological meaning
C) It is completely irrelevant to faith
D) It is the only valid way to interpret the text
- 9. What does Barth mean by the 'crisis' that the Gospel creates?
A) A social and political upheaval
B) A personal emotional breakdown
C) A judgment that shatters all human security
D) A financial collapse of religious institutions
- 10. In Barth's view, what is the relationship between the resurrection of Jesus and history?
A) It is a myth with no basis in fact
B) It is a purely non-historical, spiritual symbol
C) It is a historical event that also transcends history
D) It is the most easily proven historical fact
- 11. For Barth, what does it mean to be 'in Christ'?
A) To be a member of the institutional church
B) To follow the ethical example of Jesus
C) To participate by faith in God's act of reconciliation
D) To achieve a state of mystical union
- 12. What was the immediate theological impact of Barth's 'Romans'?
A) It shattered the prevailing liberal theological paradigm
B) It had little influence outside Switzerland
C) It was immediately accepted by all theologians
D) It led to Barth's excommunication
- 13. A central theme in Barth's 'Romans' is the absolute qualitative distinction between God and what?
A) Humanity
B) Angels
C) Nature
D) The Church
- 14. The second, thoroughly revised edition of Barth's 'Romans' was published in what year?
A) 1922
B) 1919
C) 1930
D) 1925
- 15. What concept, central to liberal theology, did Barth's 'Romans' argue could not bridge the gap between God and humanity?
A) Religious experience
B) Scripture
C) Divine grace
D) Prophetic witness
- 16. The famous description of Barth's commentary as a 'bomb' dropped on the 'playground of the theologians' is attributed to whom?
A) Karl Adam
B) Paul Tillich
C) Rudolf Bultmann
D) Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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