Aspects of the Soteriology of Karl Barth

Abstract

"The appearance of the last two part-volumes of Karl Barth's Kirchliche Dog. matik has sparked some interesting theological discussions on soteriology. One phase of this discussion concerns the question of a basic change in Barth's thought. Some think that Barth's present view of the justification and sanctification of man involves a significant change from his earlier emphasis upon the "infinite qualitative distinction between God and man." About a decade ago John A. Mackay expressed his concern that Barth, out of fear of subjectivism and mysticism, was producing too exclusive a "theology of light" while ignoring a "theology of life" and Christian experience.2 And although Mackay is not yet entirely satisfied, he now writes in a lyrical vein of "Barth's loyalty to Christ's lordship and especially his growing appreciation of that lordship in its implications in the subjective realm of Christian experience."3 Because of the section on sanctification in volume IV/2, Arthur Cochrane suggests that "this latest volume of Barth's Dogmatics should excite the keenest interest among his practicalminded, yes, activist readers in America"