Karl Barth. Paul S. Chung

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Karl Barth - Paul S. Chung


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      Through appropriating Blumhardt’s message, Barth tried to overcome a controversy between Kutter and Ragaz. Kutter put more emphasis on the prophetic knowledge of the living God. Ragaz was more concerned with active discipleship along the lines of the Franciscan ideal of poverty. In the face of the outbreak of the First World War, Kutter was moved with a summons to tranquil reappraisal. But Ragaz responded to the war with an appeal for pacifist action. Kutter never became a Social Democrat, while Ragaz became one in 1913. Barth feels himself more in line with Kutter’s radical tranquility without ruling out Ragaz’s energetic tackling of social problems.

      For Ragaz: it is of importance to consider “experience of social needs and problems.” The “Ethical demand” is necessary.

      For Kutter: What is central is “experience of God.”

      For Ragaz: there is an emphasis on “belief in development.”

      For Kutter: the kingdom of God is understood as promise.

      For Ragaz: there is an “optimistic evaluation of Social Democracy” and “opposition to the church.”

      For Kutter: “the Social Democrats can never understand us.” “Religious responsibility” must be taken “in the church in continuity with the pietistic tradition.”

      Ragaz calls for “Religious-Socialist Party with conferences and new ways,” and emphasizes sympathy with workers and other laymen. He is in expectation of martyrdom and in protest against war.

      Kutter, however, calls for “circles of friends for spiritual deepening and for work.” With concentration primarily on the pastors his concern lies in “the building of dams for a much more distant future.”


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