Abstract:
The First Commandment played an important role in the theology of
Karl Barth. His personal obedience to this commandment
contributed to his realization that one cannot be comfortable with
the Liberal theology of the early twentieth century and accept the
theological thinking that supported National Socialism. The First
Commandment opened his eyes to see the idols, worldviews,
ideologies and evil of his lifetime. The First Commandment is
always in the background of his theology that concentrates on
God’s revelation in Jesus Christ. Only two of his lectures
specifically concentrated on the First Commandment, only one of
which was published. Barth, understood the First Commandment as
an axiom of theology. It is self-evident; a cornerstone and critical
guideline for any theology that is built upon the biblical message.
The article argues that if this aspect of Barth’s theology received
attention in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church, we would most
probably have been saved from the conflicts concerning the
ideology of apartheid and the “people’s church”.
