Sexual Difference, Gender, and Agency in Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics

This book explores Karl Barths Church Dogmatic to reimagine the heteropatriarchal structure of human fellowship and locate the human agent as the recipient of Christ's redemptive activity. It argues that Barths model of human agency cannot sustain his version of female subordination or his repudiation of same-sex relationships, but contains ethically-oriented mechanisms that resist sexist heterosexism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 22 April 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book is a groundbreaking and insightful exploration of the concept of the sexually differentiated self within Karl Barth's Church Dogmatic. By delving into Barth's doctrines on revelation, creation, theological anthropology, and special ethics, Faye Bodley-Dangelo uncovers a previously untapped resource within his Christocentric framework of human agency. Through her meticulous analysis, Bodley-Dangelo establishes that the human agent emerges as the focal point of Barth's broader project, which seeks to revitalize the subject of modern Protestant theology. She compellingly argues that the human actor is positioned as the recipient of Christ's redemptive activity, leading to a transformative shift away from self-centered isolation and into relationships characterized by dependency, responsiveness, and ethical responsibility towards diverse sites of divine and creaturely alterity.

The book engages in a lively debate regarding the limitations of Barth's model of human agency. While it acknowledges the ethical dimensions present within his theological anthropology, Bodley-Dangelo contends that these mechanisms alone cannot sustain his version of female subordination or his rejection of same-sex relationships. Instead, she suggests that Barth's model contains critical and reflective elements that actively resist the sexist and heterosexist dimensions of his anthropology, paving the way for an anti-essentialist performative account of gender.

In the first chapter, Bodley-Dangelo provides a comprehensive overview of Barth's understanding of the sexually differentiated self. She explores how Barth's Christocentric perspective shapes his understanding of human agency, emphasizing the importance of the human subject's relationship with God. Bodley-Dangelo highlights Barth's distinction between the "natural" and the "spiritual," arguing that the latter encompasses the entirety of human existence, including the sexual dimension. She further examines Barth's concept of the "will," which is seen as the ultimate source of human action and decision-making.

The second chapter delves into Barth's doctrines of revelation and creation. Bodley-Dangelo examines how Barth interprets the biblical narratives of Genesis and Revelation in light of his Christocentric framework. She highlights how Barth sees the creation of humanity as a divine act of self-giving love, which establishes a profound connection between God and humanity. Bodley-Dangelo also explores Barth's interpretation of the fall, which he sees as a result of human disobedience and separation from God. However, she argues that Barth's understanding of the fall is not merely a moral or ethical failure but also a spiritual one, as it undermines the essential unity between God and humanity.

In the third chapter, Bodley-Dangelo examines Barth's theological anthropology. She explores how Barth understands the human subject as both creature and creator, emphasizing the inherent dualism present within human nature. Bodley-Dangelo examines Barth's concept of the "image of God," which is seen as the essential mark of human identity. She also explores Barth's understanding of the "will," which is seen as the ultimate source of human action and decision-making. Bodley-Dangelo argues that Barth's theological anthropology contains both ethical and spiritual dimensions, as it seeks to establish a harmonious relationship between the two.

The fourth chapter focuses on Barth's special ethics. Bodley-Dangelo examines how Barth develops his ethical framework within the context of his Christocentric perspective. She highlights how Barth sees ethics as a matter of faith and obedience to God, rather than merely a set of moral principles. Bodley-Dangelo explores Barth's concept of the "good," which is seen as the ultimate goal of human existence. She also examines Barth's understanding of the "evil," which he sees as the result of human disobedience and separation from God. Bodley-Dangelo argues that Barth's special ethics contains both ethical and spiritual dimensions, as it seeks to establish a harmonious relationship between the two.

In the concluding chapter, Bodley-Dangelo summarizes the key findings of the book and reflects on their implications for contemporary theology. She argues that Barth's concept of the sexually differentiated self provides a valuable resource for unsettling and reimagining the heteropatriarchal structure of human fellowship at the heart of his theological anthropology. Bodley-Dangelo suggests that by recognizing the human agent as the recipient of Christ's redemptive activity, we can redirect our actions and relationships away from self-aggrandizing isolation and towards dependence, responsiveness, and ethical responsibility towards multiple sites of divine and creaturely alterity.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of gender, sexuality, and theology. Faye Bodley-Dangelo's insightful analysis and critical engagement with Karl Barth's Church Dogmatic offer a fresh perspective on the concept of the sexually differentiated self and its implications for contemporary Christian thought. By challenging the limitations of Barth's model of human agency and highlighting the ethical and spiritual dimensions of his theological anthropology, Bodley-Dangelo provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about gender and sexuality within the Christian tradition.

Weight: 326g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780567698285