Eschatological presence : Karl Barth's theology in Göttingen

This thesis analyses the theology of Karl Barth from the period of his academic professorship in Göttingen (1921-25). Texts examined include unpublished or posthumously published lecture courses given by Barth on Scripture, Reformed theology and Christian dogmatics. The thesis proposes that the unifying perspective of Barth’s theology in these years was a conviction about the eschatological presence of God with human beings, and that his theology in Göttingen is characterised by the attempt to articulate this perspective, by the tensions this ultimately generates with certain theologoumena, and by the effort to resolve these tensions in his dogmatic theology. An initial comparison is made with the theology of Rudolf Bultmann, after which the argument proceeds by detailing Barth’s understanding of revelation and of the task of dogmatics, his approach to the theology of the Protestant Reformers, his Christology, as well as his doctrines of the Spirit, the Christian life, and the sacraments. The view that Barth’s theology is intrinsically anti-historical or dualistic is discussed and rejected, on the basis that the fundamental reality Barth pre-supposes is God’s presence in the world; and yet, it is argued that the eschatological construal of this presence generates dilemmas for the understanding of Christian ministry, and for the relating of Christology to moral theology.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo