Karl Barth, undoubtedly one of the significant contributors for the Christian theology of the twentieth century. He strongly opposed the theological liberalism and political fascism, the one especially under Adolf Hitler. He held very firmly, that the Bible as the Word of God “is able to speak for itself.”
On Barth’s first visit to USA, in 1962 at the age of 75, was asked, “how he would summarize the essence of the millions of words he had published. Barth replied, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
This line is from a Sunday School chorus, may sound too simplistic, if not too trivial a response from a man of his stature and knowledge. This is precisely the point. All that we can ever achieve in this world, is not even close to the fact that Jesus loves us.
The depth of that statement can be summarised in Paul’s words – “7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…” – Philippians 3:7-8.
What about us?
"Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; We do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ."