The world according to Barth

It is hard to believe that there used to be sightings of Swiss Reformed theologians as recently as the 20^th century! While not officially extinct, they-- along with other close relatives in the genus Western European Reformed Theologians-- are on the endangered species list.  In trouble in the New World is the Trustworthy Evangelical Celebrity Pastor, which is very hard to find in the wild. (The subspecies Celebrity Pastor may soon be easier to find in captivity.)

Anyway,  the most famous of the 20^th century Swiss theological big cheeses ¹ was, of course, Karl Barth (1886-1968) ².

Barth was one asked what was the most important word in the New Testament. He chose huper (ὑπέρ Strong's 5228) which is often translated as on behalf of, or for the sake of, or simply just the word for.

Here is a few places where we find huper used, just in one book, Romans:

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Rom 5:6) 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8) 

and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Rom 8:27) 

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Rom 8:32) 

who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. (Rom 8:34)

The word huper is a one-word uber-synonym for the substitutionary atonement and for the continuing intercession--indeed for the gospel itself, which is accurately explained in terms of what was done for us, not by us.  Barth was spot-on. No holes in that Swiss. ¹

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¹ Didja see what I did there? Didja?

² For the longest time, at the start of my self-taught theology educational journey,  I thought Francis Schaeffer was Swiss. (Which is another reason, among many, why one should not be self-taught.) I was mildly disappointed to find out he was a Yank. Kind of a man of two countries, like Masterpiece Theater's longtime host Alistair Cooke. Cooke once said of himself (paraphrasing from memory) "In the States I am considered a distinguished British gentleman. While in the UK, people think of me as an enlightened American." That's awesome.