The Place of Growth in the Theology of Karl Barth

It is often wondered whether Karl Barth’s doctrine of sanctification preserves space for a sufficient account of growth in the Christian life. Such concerns arise, at least in part, from Barth’s radical claim that the sanctification of all humanity is totally and effectively established in Jesus Christ, a claim that appears to exclude more familiar notions of cumulative regeneration. This essay seeks to complement other responses to this critique by delving into Barth’s most explicit discussion of growth in Church Dogmatics: §67.2 ‘The Growth of the Community’. A close reading of this subsection will demonstrate that Barth can happily employ the language of growth albeit interpreted in light of his understanding of the Christian life as an ongoing encounter with Jesus Christ.     

The Glory of God in the Theology of Eberhard Jüngel

Abstract:  The German Lutheran theologian Eberhard Jüngel offers an account of God as One whose many attributes are but more specific renderings of his glory. By describing the attributes as ingredient in God's inner-trinitarian life as expressed in the passion history, Jüngel offers a rich doctrine of God's glory that emphasizes the communicative character of the divine glory inasmuch as God communicates himself to us as he is , and is true to himself in all that he does . However, from a classical Reformed perspective, critical questions are raised with regards to Jüngel's understanding of the communicatio idiomatum , and his singular focus on the suffering and death of Jesus to the neglect of the life of Jesus.     

The Indicative of Grace & The Imperative of Freedom: An Invitation to the Theology of Eberhard Jüngel

Abstract :  This essay offers a comprehensive introduction to German theologian Eberhard Jüngel's theology and philosophy of religion. It traces his intellectual development, beginning with his formation studies in New Testament with Ernst Fuchs, and ends with his controversial position in matters of church unity and ecumenism. Special attention is paid to his theological anthropology, and the potential contributions his theology could make in the North American context are assessed.