The Early Karl Barth: Historical Contexts and Intellectual Formation 1905-1935

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In this monograph Karl Barth (1886-1968) is presented in his sociopolitical, cultural, ecclesial and theological contexts from 1905 to 1935. The time period begins in 1905, as he began preparing for a speech on the "social question". It ends in 1935, the year he returned to Switzerland from Germany. In the foreground of this inquiry is Barth’s relation to the features of his time, especially radical socialist ideology, WWI, an intellectual trend that would later be called the Conservative Revolution, the German Christians, the Young Reformation Movement and National Socialism. Barth’s view of and interaction with the Jews is also analyzed along with other issues, such as radical thinking, anti-liberalism, alterity, anti- or trans-historicism, Expressionism and New Objectivity. Specific questions disputed in the secondary literature are also addressed, such as the place of WWI in Barth’s intellectual development, his role in the Dehn Case, his reaction to the rise of fascism in Europe, his relationship to 19th century modern liberal Protestantism, his relationship to the Leonhard Ragaz-wing of the Religious Socialists and his relationship to the Weimar Republic. Drawing upon contemporary historical research, newly published critical editions of Barth’s works and letters, as well as some archival research, this monograph provides a new historical-critical analysis of Barth that challenges many of the prevailing views in the secondary literature.