Description: Many of Barth's theological themes, such as revelation and election, have received numerous scholarly examinations, whilst Barth's doctrine of the church has been largely ignored. Yet, Barth entitled his massive systematic theological opus the Church Dogmatics, and the church was a central element of his thought from first to last. This book seeks to fill a lacuna in studies of Barth's theology, presenting the first comprehensive examination of Karl Barth's doctrine of the church in over three decades. Kimlyn J. Bender examines Barth's ecclesiological thought, from his early theological treatises to his massive unfinished dogmatics, in light of his interaction with both Roman Catholicism and Protestant Liberalism. A special emphasis is placed upon Barth's mature ecclesiology in the Church Dogmatics.
Brief description: D. Stephen Long is an ordained United Methodist elder in the Indiana Conference. He is also Professor of Systematic Theology at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.
Review Quotes: ""Both comprehensive and authoritative, Kimlyn Bender's fine study of Karl Barth's Christocentric doctrine of the church will undoubtedly serve as the standard work on the topic. The volume demonstrates that Barth's ecclesiology, while leaving some questions unresolved, is far richer, more coherent, and more complex than his critics have recognized."" Daniel Migliore, Professor of Theology, Emeritus Princeton Theological Seminary ""Karl Barth's Christological Ecclesiology is one of the most distinguished studies of Barth's theology of the church. For scope, penetration, analytical precision and maturity of judgement, it can scarcely be bettered."" John Webster, Professor of Divinity, St Mary's College University of St Andrews, Scotland ""Kimlyn Bender has written one of the best books on Barth's ecclesiology. No one interested in this question can afford to ignore it. Theologically incisive throughout, it contains a thorough and unsurpassed account of how Barth's views developed over time, from his earliest writings to his final works."" George Hunsinger, Hazel Thompson McCord Professor of Systematic Theology Princeton Theological Seminary ""Kimlyn Bender has given us a splendid study of a key theme in the theology of Karl Barth. This work clearly and competently explores Barth's views of the church, generated through his overall christological focus. The breadth is wide and Bender's scholarship is deep. Especially valuable is that this exposition of ecclesiology leads through chapters on major themes in Barth's theology as a whole. So the book serves as a prism of Barth's theology, introducing us to insights from his theological enterprise which impact his christological, ecclesiological emphases. This volume shows Barth as firmly a church theologian and is most welcome as an important, useful study of the twentieth century's greatest theologian."" Donald K. McKim Editor, How Karl Barth Changed My Mind