41st International Barth Conference
It has been over ninety years since Karl Barth introduced the term “theological existence” — a wholehearted, embodied commitment of every theologian to God Himself and to the divine Word. This idea, central to Barth’s work, now forms the focus of the 41st International Barth Conference: “Theologische Existenz Heute” – Today.
About the conference
In a passionate pamphlet written in 1933, Karl Barth addressed the German church and theologians with a single, urgent message: that the only thing that mattered now was to do theology – and nothing but theology; that it was of the utmost importance to speak about God and to be obedient to no other task than this one – to let the one God of the Old and New Testament be the only Lord.
In the precarious political circumstances of those days, this attitude should define the stance of the church; it was also to be the personal responsibility – theological and professional – of every theologian, their all-encompassing drive. (And what Christian is not, in some sense, a theologian?)
Some thirty years later, Barth returned to the term “theological existence” in his farewell lectures at the University of Basel. His focus now shifted to the faith life of the theologian. What moves us to be theologians at all times, to be wholly devoted to the matter of theology? His answer: wonder, concern, and commitment.
This personal devotion of each theologian to the subject of theology – God Himself and the divine Word – forms the great underlying presupposition of Barth’s theology, even if it is not always made explicit. It seems worthwhile to explore this presupposition more deeply.
In an age when theological existence in academia and society no longer has an obvious voice – and when church and politics maintain a complicated and polarized relationship – it seems timely to return to the fundamental question: What does theological existence mean today? What does it demand of church leadership, and of theological education?
Organisation
This conference is organised by Katya Tolstaya (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), Niels den Hertog (Theological University Apeldoorn), Marco Visser and Edward van ’t Slot (both Protestant Theological University).
Practical information
Dates: 16–18 March 2026
Location: Protestant Theological University Utrecht, Janskerkhof 12
Registration
Registration for this conference is not yet open. As soon as the registration forms become available, you will be able to sign up via the button on this page.
