The Epistle to the Romans

This is Barth's bombardment against syncretism of all kinds in Christianity. He wrestles with Paul's epistle until it is 'transparent' to the mid-20th century context, and exposes the compromises of modern religion. Barth's struggle (and that of his disciple Dietrich Bonhoeffer) against the Nazi regime flowed inevitably from his relentless questioning of Christian liberalism. At first it may appear that he is only dealing superficially with the text of Romans as a pretext for his own thoughts, but soon you see a depth of understanding of Paul's message that makes other commentaries appear lightweight. The question for Christian churches is what to build on the rubble that this book leaves behind of our most cherished ecclesiastical and religious dreams. Highly recommended.

Barth gives an intense view of Paul's Epistles to the Romans. Some background is needed to read and understand such as reading the Epistles and comparing your own thoughts on it. It is well written, and a good basis for reading further.

Disenchanted with the gluttony of Evangelicalism and angry at its souless theology which I had studied for four years, I happened upon Barth's manifesto and was reborn. The reason I didn't read it in seminary was because the gaping holes in Evangelical theology today roughly equivocate to the same holes prevalent in 19th Century Liberalism: subjectivistic interpretation of Scripture, self-centered worship, and cultural syncretism. If you want strong theology written in prose that can only be compared to listening to Master of Puppets, I heartily suggest this book. If you prefer Celine Dion, you might want to try someone else...maybe Max Lucado. "The Gospel is not a religious message to inform mankind of their divinity or to tell them how they may become divine. The Gospel proclaims a God utterly distinct from men." KB, Epistle to the Romans, p. 28.

This is the book that brought an end to 19th century liberal theology's attempt to produce a neat synthesis of Christianity and culture, a psychological Christianity or an anthropologized Christianity. The project was a failure, and Barth tells us why and what should replace it -- a religionless Christianity? Not really a Biblical commentary. If you're looking for an exposition of the text, this isn't what you want. It's more like a manifesto, using Paul's epistle to the Romans as a place to begin the attack on cultural, non-prophetic Christianity. Written in a dialectical, highly expressive style. If you like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, this is your kind of theologizing -- with a hammer. It can be exhausting, and you will either love it or hate it. Barth later changed his style and tone, but not his message.