The Barmen Declaration
Christ Alone Is Lord of the Church
The Barmen Declaration is the 1934 confession of the German Confessing Church, drafted by Karl Barth, rejecting Nazi interference in the church and declaring that Jesus Christ — not any earthly power — is the sole Lord of the church.
About the Barmen Declaration
Everything you need to understand this historic confession — its origins, its theology, and its enduring place in the life of the Church.
Adopted 1934
Forged by the Barmen Synod, the Barmen Declaration has guided Christian thought and worship for centuries — a confession tested by time and affirmed by the Church.
Theological Clarity
The Barmen Declaration answers the most essential questions of the Christian faith — who God is, who Christ is, and what the Church believes together. Explore it article by article.
One Faith, Shared Heritage
With 33,000 denominations and one Church, the historic creeds are our common ground. This site exists to make that shared heritage clearly explained and freely available to every believer, student, and seeker.
Why This Site Exists
The Barmen Declaration is the 1934 confession of the German Confessing Church, drafted by Karl Barth, rejecting Nazi interference in the church and declaring that Jesus Christ — not any earthly power — is the sole Lord of the church.
The Heavenly Network, in partnership with The Christian Chain, has developed this network of Church Creed and Confession sites in order to make the historic faith of the Church clearly explained, faithfully presented, and freely accessible to every believer, student, and seeker who wants to understand what the whole Church has always believed together.
Ephesians 4:4–6"There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all."
Reformed Tradition — 1934
Barmen Synod
Latest Articles
Explore our most recent writing on this creed — its history, theology, and ongoing significance for the church today.
The Six Theses of Barmen: A Guided Explanation
The Barmen Declaration consists of six theses, each citing Scripture, making a positive confession, and issuing a formal rejection. This guided explanation walks through each thesis — what it affirms, what it rejects, and why it still matters.
By Rev. C•D•F• Warrington, M.Div.
Ordained Minister, M.Div.
Date
April 11, 2026
The German Christians: The Heresy Barmen Rejected
The German Christians (Deutsche Christen) were a Nazi-aligned movement within the Protestant church that tried to merge Christianity with National Socialism — and the Barmen Declaration was written directly against them. Understanding what they taught is essential to understanding what Barmen affirmed.
By Rev. C•D•F• Warrington, M.Div.
Ordained Minister, M.Div.
Date
April 4, 2026
Karl Barth and the Writing of the Barmen Declaration
Karl Barth was the primary author of the Barmen Declaration. His theology of the Word of God — developed over years of writing the Church Dogmatics — made him uniquely prepared to draft a confession that placed Christ alone at the center, leaving no room for National Socialist ideology.
By Rev. C•D•F• Warrington, M.Div.
Ordained Minister, M.Div.
Date
March 28, 2026