Who the Heck is Karl Barth? with Dr. Marty Folsom

Rector’s Cupboard is part of a larger non-profit that exists to articulate Hopeful Theology. A theologian whose work informs our perspective is Karl Barth. 

This episode delves into the theology of Barth by way of the work of Dr. Marty Folsom. Barth’s writing is extensive, with his major work, “Church Dogmatics” consisting of over 9,000 pages over multiple volumes.  

Many Christians have pushed away from rigid and divisive understandings of faith. Some of those who have “deconstructed” their faith hang onto a desire for a meaningful more hopeful Christian faith. Barth’s theology, while outlined decades ago, provides such a frame. Barth was known as “the cheerful theologian” and his theology gives what we think is a much healthier view of the Bible, salvation, belief and non-belief than we have often encountered in evangelicalism. 

As Barth’s writing is extensive, it helps to have informed guides. Marty Folsom fits the bill. We talk about his book, “Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics for Everyone: volume 1”. Dr. Folsom does not imply any advanced knowledge of Barth and guides us through even the basic structure of the dogmatics and some of the most important terms.  

Everyone has a theology, a way of understanding the bigger things of life and the world. Barth offers a hopeful Christian theology that can contribute much to the necessary theological renewal of the church.  

The episode opens with Rector’s Cupboard hosts speaking about why Barth’s theology might matter today.