Karl Barth's Doctrine of Sanctification: An Exploration of Church Dogmatics 66

This book explores Karl Barths doctrine of sanctification as set out in “The Sanctification of Man,” §66 of the Church Dogmatics, and examines how Barths use of Scripture and interaction with other voices from the tradition shape his theological argument. It also examines select aspects of Barths theology of sanctification, such as his exegetical background, similarities and differences with Calvin, and his views on visibility and growth in the Christian life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2021
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

This book delves into Karl Barth's doctrine of sanctification, as presented in "The Sanctification of Man," §66 of the Church Dogmatics. In his analysis, Michael Bartholomaeus explores the profound influence of Barths engagements with Scripture on the flow of his theological argument, as well as the significance of his interactions with other voices within the tradition. He then conducts a detailed examination of select aspects of Barth's theology of sanctification, including the exegetical background to his dogmatic exposition in §66, the similarities and differences between Barth and Calvin on the topic of sanctification, and the profound and biblical perspective Barth takes on the issues of visibility and growth in the Christian life.

Introduction:
Karl Barth's doctrine of sanctification is a central theme in his theological system, and it is explored in depth in his book "The Sanctification of Man." In this chapter, we will examine Barth's understanding of sanctification and its significance for Christian theology.

Karl Barth's Understanding of Sanctification:
Barth defines sanctification as the process by which God's grace is applied to human beings, transforming them into the likeness of Christ. He sees sanctification as a two-fold process: first, the believer is justified by God's grace, which means that they are declared righteous in God's sight. Second, the believer is sanctified by God's grace, which means that they are progressively transformed into the likeness of Christ.

The Role of Scripture in Barth's Theology of Sanctification:
Barth emphasizes the importance of Scripture in his theology of sanctification. He believes that Scripture is the primary source of knowledge about God and humanity, and it is through the study of Scripture that we can understand the nature of God's grace and the means by which we can be saved. Barth's use of Scripture in §66 of the Church Dogmatics is particularly significant. In this section, he discusses the role of Scripture in the process of sanctification and how it can be understood as the exegetical background to his dogmatic exposition.

The Similarities and Differences between Barth and Calvin on the Question of Sanctification:
Barth and Calvin both have significant contributions to the theology of sanctification, but they also have some differences. One of the most significant differences is their approach to the role of human agency in sanctification. Barth emphasizes the importance of God's grace in sanctification, while Calvin emphasizes the role of human effort in sanctification. Barth also emphasizes the importance of the church as a community of believers in sanctification, while Calvin emphasizes the individual believer's responsibility for their own salvation.

The Seriousness and Biblically of Barth's Speech on Visibility and Growth in the Christian Life:
Barth takes the issues of visibility and growth in the Christian life very seriously. He believes that the Christian life is not just a private affair between the individual believer and God, but it is also a public witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Barth emphasizes the importance of living a life that is consistent with the teachings of Scripture and that is visible to others. He also believes that growth in the Christian life is a gradual process that occurs through the study of Scripture, prayer, and the practice of the Christian disciplines.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Karl Barth's doctrine of sanctification is a rich and complex topic that requires careful study and consideration. Barth's understanding of sanctification as the process by which God's grace is applied to human beings, transforming them into the likeness of Christ, is a profound and biblical perspective on the Christian life. Barth's use of Scripture in §66 of the Church Dogmatics is particularly significant, and it provides the exegetical background to his dogmatic exposition. The similarities and differences between Barth and Calvin on the question of sanctification are also important to consider, as they highlight the different approaches to the Christian life that these two theologians took. Finally, Barth's seriousness and biblically of his speech on visibility and growth in the Christian life is a testament to his commitment to living a life that is consistent with the teachings of Scripture and that is visible to others.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978712157