Karl Barth's Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (Der Romerbrief) first appeared in Germany in 1918, and caused an im-mediate sensation. A second edition, corrected, enlarged, and re-considered, followed in 1921, and four others by 1933. The familiar terms "Barthian" and "Barthianism" are an indication of the theo-logical ferment started by the author's doctrine, both on the con-tinent and in Britain and America. This remains a fundamental book for a full understanding of Barthianism.

Its thesis is that the problems confronting Paul were, at base, the same as those confronting the modern Christian preacher and theo-logian. Barth's book raises the whole Protestant argument anew in its special relation to twentieth-century attitudes and problems. Among the questions he deals with are: What is Biblical exegesis? What is the relation of theology to the Church and to religious ex-perience? What is the relation of the truth of the Bible to culturel What is the preacher to preach?

When this translation appeared in 1933 Nazism was just coming to power in Germany. Throughout the Nazi period, and World Wa Il and its aftermath. Karl Barth from his Swiss homeland was powerful influence in European and American theology, and as leader of Christian thought. In 1968, at 82, he is universally honored and respected. The translator, the late Sir Edwyn Hoskyns, was a Fellow of Corpus Christi College. Cambridge.