The Autonomy Theme in the Church Dogmatics: Karl Barth and his Critics

by John Macken

Overview

Karl Barth, perhaps the greatest Protestant theologian of this century, with the directness that was characteristic of him, faced not only the question of autonomy but also the theological answers that liberals had attempted to provide to it. His dissatisfaction with their answers led him to start a theological counterrevolution, which (until recently) was thought to adopt a negative answer to the question of autonomy. In this careful study Father Macken shows that a major reinterpretation of Barth's thought in this regard has been taking place since 1968, and that—far from being an opponent of human freedom in relation to God—Barth is now thought to have proposed a positive account of human autonomy as his theology developed. This notable book, written by a Roman Catholic theologian, is the first work in English to investigate the thought of Karl Barth on the autonomy theme. Set as it is in the wider context of the modern Christian response to questions raised by the Enlightenment, it provides a comprehensive and useful guide to the "new wave" of German Barth interpretation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521346269
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/27/1990
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.91(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Introduction; 1. The history of the term 'autonomy'; 2. Kant and the term 'autonomy'; 3. Fichte: the Ich as first principle of philosophy; 4. Autonomy opposed to theism?; Part I. Autonomy in the Church Dogmatics: 5. The background: Barth's reaction against Liberal theology; 6. Autonomy, theonomy and heteronomy in the Prolegomena; 7. Autonomy in the doctrine of Election; 8. The doctrine of Creation: against rival concepts of autonomy; 9. The doctrine of Reconciliation: correspondence and distinction between God and man; 10. Nature as distinct from grace: the Lights of the World; 11. Autonomy and Baptism: the ethical subject distinct from God; Part II. The Autonomy Theme in Barth Criticism Since 1950: 12. Barth criticism before 1968: a negative balance - Wolfhart Pannenberg; 13. Barth's positive relationship to modern autonomy: Barth criticism since 1968; 14. Autonomy and Idealism in Barth; 15. Autonomy and ontology: Eberhard Jüngel; Part III. Conclusions: 16. Critical questions; 17. Autonomy in the Church Dogmatics; List of abbreviations; Notes; Bibliography; Author index; Subject index.

Editorial Reviews

"...a comprehensive and commendable study that contributes to understanding Barth's position in the Kantian tradition...The final chapter is an excellent conclusion and evaluation... No scholar with an interest in Barth or the manner in which theology has dealt with Kantian problems should miss this work." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

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