Two deaths

On December 10, 1968 two men died: the German theologian, Karl Barth, and the Catholic monk, Thomas Merton. Both of these men have affected my life. I studied the theology of Barth in college and seminary. He was a leader of the Confessing Church in Germany during Hitler's rise to power. He was the author of The Declaration of Barmen, which is in the Presbyterian Book of Confessions. Barth began a revolution in Western theology when he wrote his commentary on Romans back in 1919. As a leading 'Neo-orthodox' theologian, he brought the Protestant Church back to a focus on a Christological approach to Christian thought. Barth's emphasis on the Word of God as the only definitive source of divine revelation was sorely needed in Nazi Germany. He and Emil Brunner went at it in regard to 'natural theology.' Brunner wrote that natural theology has its place. But Barth responded "Nein." In later decades, and within a different context, Barth's theology became viewed as too narrow. But Barth continues to pack a punch with many students of Scripture. Karl Barth has been a good dialogue partner throughout my ministerial career--challenging me to understand the role of Christ's words and life in our understanding of God's truth and grace.
Thomas Merton has also been a helpful dialogue partner. Reading his journals gave me a personal glimpse into the spiritual journey of a prayerful and thoughtful person. As a Trappist monk, Merton lived in silence and practiced contemplation within the monastery just south of Bardstown, Kentucky. But as a writer he communicated with the outside world and influenced scads of people. His writings gave me an appreciation of the Catholic sacramental view of the world. His disclosure of his own internal wrestlings with doctrine and theological concepts helped me look at my own wrestling match with God.

Barth and Merton occupied two very different theological worlds. Yet both taught me to rely on nothing but the grace of God.

Rest in peace.