By Claire Taylor, Staff Writer
Keith Johnson, professor of theology at Wheaton, released his new book, “Karl Barth and the Idolatry of the Nation: Confronting Christian Nationalism,” on Oct. 24. While one can read the book as solely a commentary on Christian nationalism, both in the 1930s and now, the crux of the story is Barth himself. Johnson wanted to share the story of a prominent theologian who came before him, hoping readers would learn from Barth’s faith and courage in a challenging time.
“We have much to learn from the Christians who’ve gone before us, and my goal was to tell his story accurately and well,” Johnson said.
The book examines Swiss theologian Karl Barth’s theological resistance to German nationalism in the years leading up to World War II. It follows a narrative of Barth’s life during this time, drawing from letters, lectures, news articles and other materials.
When writing the book, Johnson purposely avoided drawing exact parallels to Nazi Germany. Instead, he invites readers to observe possible similarities for themselves.
“I see my book as a mirror that we look into,” Johnson said. “Every reader will see his or her own reflection in it, and will be able to see and raise questions about our current time.”
Zoe Foster-Whiddon, a senior studying Bible and theology and Johnson’s teaching assistant, read the manuscript of the book as Johnson was writing it. She appreciated the freedom Johnson allowed readers to draw their own conclusions.
“It felt like more of a poignant reading experience to be able to experience that for yourself and on your own terms,” she said.
Johnson felt it was important to discuss the flaws in Barth’s life — such as his apparent affair with his secretary, Charlotte von Kirschbaum, whom Barth met while married to Nelly Barth. While little is known about this aspect of Barth’s life, Johnson emphasized that all great theologians lead imperfect lives.
“When you’re reading Barth or anyone else, you always have to pay attention to these flaws and make sure you’re listening to those as well,” Johnson said.
David Lauber, dean of humanities and theological studies, read the manuscript before it was sent for publication. He offered feedback and encouragement to Johnson throughout his editing process. Lauber was impressed by how Johnson wrote a book that was both theological and a good read.
“It is a page-turner, which is not something you always say about a book that is also deeply theological,” Lauber said.
Foster-Whiddon echoed this. She highlighted Johnson’s storytelling ability.
“It really felt like I was watching the drama happen in my mind’s eye as I was reading it,” she said.
Johnson said he wrote the book for a broad audience including theologians, pastors and Christians outside academia. Lauber praised Johnson for his ability to explain Barth’s theology in simple terms.
“He makes clear theological judgments, but without a lot of technical jargon,” Lauber said. “It’s very accessible.”
In the book, Johnson also discusses the intersection of the church and politics, particularly in times when a sense of nationalism is prevalent. The church, according to Johnson, is in crisis.
“We have a crisis of confession in the church,” he said. “The Christian confession is the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
As Barth observed in 1930s Germany, Christian allegiance to Christ was wavering; Johnson observes this now. However, Foster-Whiddon noted, the book does not viciously discuss this.
“It is a book in conversation with the issue of Christian nationalism, but it doesn’t have a pointed or condemning voice to it,” she said.
The questions raised by the book include what Christian allegiance should look like and what it should be devoted to. Barth describes this as a both-and theology, arguing that a Christian cannot be truly loyal to both God and something else.
“When it comes to politics or your nation, either Christ is your Lord or he is not,” Johnson said. “You cannot have both loyalty to Christ and loyalty to a national leader.”
