Karl Barth, Rudolf Bultmann: Letters 1922 - 1966

Containing all the available letters and postcards exchanged by Karl Barth and Rudolf Bultmann over a period of 44 years (1922-1966), this collection in many respects exceeds secondary volumes on the theology of Barth and Bultmann in its direct treatment of the central themes of Christian theology and practice. Most significantly, it traces their theological maturation as well as their major disagreements, particularly over Bultmann's controversial existential theology. Of the 98 letters and cards in this volume, 30 letters and cards are by Bultmann, and 25 letters and 10 cards are by Barth. The text is supplemented by biographical and literary notes as well as 40 other letters, cards, public declarations, memoranda, and autobiographical sketches. The letters between these two giants of 20th Century theology written over four decades yield excellent insights into the politics of German academia and the reactions of the theological community to the Nazi regime as well as the theological views of Barth and Bultmann.

Text: English, German (translation)