Since the 1980’s, there has been a rich tradition of annual international Karl-Barth-Tagungen (Karl Barth Conferences) in the Netherlands. At these conferences, people interested in Karl Barth’s theology from all over the world, but mainly from the Netherlands and Germany, have met and discussed dialectical theology: renowned scholars, students, and pastors alike.

Until recently, the main language at those conferences was German, although incidentally some English lectures were given. Starting from 2020, English will be the main language, although lectures, papers and reading groups incidentally will be given in German. After all, Karl Barth’s German is of a particular beauty, and regrettably much is lost in translations in any language.

After the retirement of the professors Van der Kooi, Reeling Brouwer and Den Hertog, a new committee, still with members from the Protestant Theological University, the Free University, and Theological University Apeldoorn, will continue these International Barth Conferences in The Netherlands. The 2020 Conference will, as before, take place in De Glind, near Amersfoort.

A new feature is our call for papers: Anyone interested in contributing a paper connected with our theme (even if only loosely) is welcome to send a proposal (see below).

Prof. dr. E. van ‘t Slot (PThU), Dr. K. Tolstaya (VU Amsterdam), Prof. dr. A. Huijgen and dr. C.C. den Hertog (TU Apeldoorn)

About the conference theme

What exactly is the systematic or dogmatic theologian doing when she translates biblical and exegetical matter into systematic discourse? Karl Barth is famous for the long biblical excurses in his Church Dogmatics. Besides, he has written at least six commentaries on Pauline texts (from the first edition of his Letter to the Romans until his brochure on Christ and Adam according to Romans 5); and he has extendedly lectured on John, James, and Ephesians. He has often stated that the exegetical parties in his books were even dearer to him than the dogmatic ‘bigger font’ sections. However, how do we evaluate this issue a hundred years after the First Commentary on Romans and fifty years after Barth’s passing away? Barth has exercised great influence on exegetes of all kinds of schools – but is his voice still relevant in biblical studies? And, the other way around, how can systematic theologians (more or less) operating in Barth’s tradition, remain attentive to new exegetical insights? And how about the place of the Old Testament in questions like these?

Call for papers

At the conference there will be timeslots in which short papers (max. 2500 words) on these issues can be presented and discussed. Proposals (max. 250 words) may be sent to dr. E. van ‘t Slot, e.vant.slot@pthu.nl before November 1^st, 2019. Papers on topics of Barth and theological exegesis will be given priority.

Practical information

Date: 9-11^th March 2020
Location: De Glind (The Netherlands)
Pricing: € 260  (Students fee: € 180)
Registration includes: full program access, lodging and meals, coffee and tea during the day. Refreshments and drinks at the bar in the bar are for your own expense.

Please register here.

See original post here: https://www.pthu.nl/en/News_and_Events/News/bart-tagung-2020-call-for-pape/