Miller and Grenz begin Chapter One of their book, Fortress Introduction to Contemporary Theologies, describing a young theologian by the name of Karl Barth.  Barth was an accomplished theologian and an avid writer who penned a great deal of literature.  Barth had a great deal of interest in the existentialist philosopher Soren Kierkegaard.  Kierkegaard’s musings on existentialism go beyond simply being constrained by “theism” or “atheism”.  I found it interesting how Kierkegaard warned against confusing intellectual thought with passion based in theology.  I like how this relates to other notions by Kierkegaard.  There is an inherit difference in the realms of our faith and our earthly understanding; God is in heaven, but we are wholly separated from His sphere by being on earth. 

Barth furthered this idea with his quote, that “we must hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other”.  It is important to recognize the differences in our perception of the world and our understanding of theology.  If we let these two spheres collide, there can be horrible outcomes.  An example of this is the “German Christians” of Nazi Germany; Christians who let the secular institution of Hitler’s propaganda machine merge with their faith, which had terrible consequences in the form of so-called Christianity endorsing persecution of the Jews.  While many Christians did not conform to this thought-process, the matter is that such a situation should never have existed in the first place. 

Barth was an influential and important theologian.  I found his actions during Hitler’s era in Germany to be profoundly encouraging.  He let his firm rooted faith guide his path, thus becoming a strong example of a Godly man in a time where God seemed distant.  Barth’s understanding of Kierkegaard’s theology and his application of said theology to the modern day is a great example of Christian thought.