Christian Theology

God Here and Now

Name: God Here and Now
Author: Karl Barth

Karl Barth

24 minAudio8 insights

What you'll learn

•The centrality of Jesus Christ in Christian theology and humanism.
•The nature and sovereignty of God's Word as incarnate in Christ.
•The meaning and implications of God's free grace for the Church and believers.
•The authority and role of the Bible as the normative Word of God.
•The essence, challenges, and renewal of the Christian Church.
•Foundations and key themes of Christian ethics rooted in grace.
•Critical reflections on humanism from a Christian theological perspective.

Who should read this

✓Theologians and seminary students seeking mature Protestant theology.
✓Clergy and preachers looking for deep insights into proclamation and grace.
✓Christians interested in the relationship between faith, scripture, and church life.
✓Readers exploring Christian ethics grounded in grace and gratitude.

About this book

Karl Barth’s 'God Here and Now' presents a robust Christian theology centered on Jesus Christ, emphasizing God’s grace, the authority of Scripture, the living Church, Christian ethics, and a critical engagement with humanism.

Did You Know?

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Karl Barth was a leading figure in the Confessing Church during Nazi Germany and was expelled from Germany for his opposition.

Audio Summary

Section 1

Encountering the Living God: The Christian Proclamation Here and Now

3:45

8 Sections

Preview: Encountering the Living God: The Christian Proclamation Here and Now

Imagine a world where the very essence of existence is defined not by abstract concepts or distant ideals but by a living, breathing presence—God here and now. This is the heart of the Christian proclamation. It tells us that the divine Word did not remain distant but became flesh, entering history in the person of Jesus Christ. God’s humanism is not a vague philosophy; it is a concrete reality embodied in one man who stands in place of all humanity. This singular event, the Incarnation, is unique and unrepeatable. It is the foundation upon which all Christian understanding of God and man rests.

From this starting point, we understand that faith is not a mere intellectual assent or inherited tradition. Instead, it is a dynamic decision, a responsible act of trust. Faith is the human response to the sovereign Word of God, which calls us into a living relationship with Him. It is an invitation to align ourselves with the truth revealed in Jesus Christ, to find our true humanity in Him. This decision is never neutral; it demands a turning away from indifference and a turning toward God’s grace.

Consider how this proclamation challenges us today. In a world full of competing philosophies and ideologies, the claim that there is one true Word that defines both God and man is radical. Yet, it is this proclamation that offers hope and clarity. It invites us to see ourselves not as isolated individuals but as creatures called into community through grace. The living God calls us here and now, not in some distant future or abstract realm.

As we reflect on this, we realize that the Christian proclamation is not just about historical facts but about a present reality that transforms lives. It is a trumpet call awakening sleepers, inviting all to hear and respond. The preacher, like a faithful mailman, delivers this message without alteration, trusting in its power to awaken and renew.

With this understanding, we prepare to explore how this living Word of God exercises its sovereignty and calls us into the decision of faith, revealing the profound relationship between divine action and human response.