Description: An insightful analysis of the writings of the German theologian Karl Barth, emphasising the political and social relevance of his thought.
In this creative and original book, Paul S. Chung interprets Karl Barth as a theologian of divine action. Chung appreciates Barthís dogmatic theology as both contextual and irregular, and he retrieves neglected aspects of Barthís thought. The book also clarifies Barthís early interest in social and political ideas, and explores the political dimension in his later dogmatic writings, particularly in relation to his theology of Israel and issues of theologia naturalisand religious pluralism. Barthís theology can only properly be understood through his social commitment, and Chung, drawing together the traditions of German and Anglo-Saxon theology, shows how Barthís political ideas relate to his theological position.Brief description: Paul S. Chung is Associate Professor of Mission and World Christianity at Luther Seminary, Minnesota. He regularly publishes articles in religious journals. He is primarily interested in extending and deepening the horizons of Reformation theology in an Asian inter-religious context.