Karl Barth

Karl Barth

A. Epistemic foundation

Soren Kierkegaard's writings wer perhaps the most important factor in motivaiting Barth to move beyond Ritschlianism.

Found the Ritschlian theology to be of no pastoral value. Turned to the Scriptures and the reformers.

Probably the most influential theologians of the 20 C.

 

 

Start with G, revelation, rather than humand feeling or experience

 

Freedom of God.

God's love

 

Epistemic foundation : Historie/ Geschichte

 

Two technical words for theological purposes.

Historie

·         Events that occur in calendar time.

·         Open to the analysis of secular historians, scientists.

·         Events apart

 

Evaluation on Epistemic Foundaiotn

God is not wholly-hidden from us, but revealed in his creation.

Nor is he wholly revealed; even in C we don't know G exhaustively.

Difinitions of Historie and Geschichte arbitrary.

·         Assumes contrary to Scripture that the events significant for faith cannot occur in calendar time.

·         In fact, no event is accessible to "secular historians." if secular means unbelieving.

·         But the events Sc narrates really took place, so they are a legitimate field of historiacal interest.

·         To equate all biblical truths with Geschichte has pantheistic overtones.

·         The equations (contrary to Barth's intention) reduce the gospel story to eternal truths.

 

No biblical reason to identify the being of G, or that of C, with any "event."

The Historie/Geschichte scheme reflects the phenomenal/noumenal schme of Kant, and hence the rationalist/irrationalist dialectic. See below.

Barth's Gospel." You are already in C' so act like it."

 

 

 

B. God

Ontological and Economic distinction blurred

Barth insist that ontological and economic are identical.

 

 

C. Scripture