Concursus and Concept Use in Karl Barth’s Doctrine of Providence

David C. Chao (PhD) is a scholar of modern Christian dogmatics, with expertise in Karl Barth and Protestant theology. He served on the steering committee of the AAR’s Reformed Theology and History unit and co-led the first NEH-funded translation project of the Center for Barth Studies. He directs the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary, USA, where his research explores how Christian doctrine engages the lived realities of Asian and Asian American communities.

“David Chao provides an astute and rigorous reading of Barth’s account of providence in Church Dogmatics III/3, which promises to set the pace for future reflection on this topic. His discussion of concept-use, which draws on cutting edge philosophical and theological reflection, should hold especial interest: it attests to a keen and constructive sensibility, and a winsome desire to connect Barth scholarship with broader dynamics in the humanities.”- Paul Dafydd Jones, University of Virginia"This creative book advances not only Barth scholarship, but the social-practical turn in contemporary theology and broader streams of the humanities. Historically and doctrinally sensitive, it reads Barth’s concursive account of creaturely participation in divine providence closer to both scholastic and post-Kantian traditions than many of his critics and defenders allow. In so doing, however, Chao offers a comprehensive interpretation of Barth’s distinctively Christological approach and its relevance for today”- Eric Gregory, Department of Religion, Princeton University“With historical and conceptual precision David Chao offers us a window into the metaphysical heart of Barth’s theology—along with replies to some of the most persistent and troublesome objections to Barth’s project. This intervention promises to shape conversation around Barth, divine action, and the role of philosophy in modern theology for years to come. Anyone with a stake in modern theology and its reception should read this book.”- Daniel Pedersen, Lecturer in Philosophical Theology, University of Aberdeen“Chao’s steady-handed investigation of Barth’s teaching on providence has implications that go well beyond the doctrine proper. Making his own original offering to a longstanding dialogue, Chao argues compellingly that a theology of providence is incomplete without due attention to the social and discursive practices in which it is articulated. Read this book for a fresh and insightful take on the place of providence in theology and on the wider relationship between doctrine, norms, and practices.”- Cambria Kaltwasser, Co-president of the Karl Barth Society of North America, Associate Professor of Theology, Northwestern College, IA“Critics of Karl Barth have long argued that his emphasis on divine sovereignty comes at the expense of human agency. In this important study, David Chao responds to such criticisms by placing Barth’s account of providence within the longer tradition of non-competitive understandings of divine and human agency. Identifying the doctrine’s practical impact on human agency and social practices, Chao demonstrates how Barth’s understanding of divine accompanying works alongside his account of concept use and social-practical norms. The result is a deeply learned book that invites and rewards careful attention.”- Joshua Mauldin, Center of Theological Inquiry“This illuminating study offers a rich treatment of Karl Barth’s doctrine of providence, and specifically of the divine concursus. Setting this account within its historical and theological context, David Chao offers both perceptive analysis and critical correction of this rather overlooked topic in Barth studies. The volume comes warmly recommended”- Paul T Nimmo, King’s Chair of Systematic Theology, University of Aberdeen

• 1. INTRODUCTION 2. BARTH ON CONCURSUS: AUFHEBUNG OF SCHOLASTIC THOUGHT 3. BAD CONCEPT USE AND BARTH’S COMPREHENSIVE CORRECTION 4. BARTH’S TWO RIVAL ACCOUNTS OF NORMS IN §49 5. CONCURSUS IN A SOCIAL-PRACTICAL THEOLOGY OF NORMS 6. CONCLUSION. Works Cited Index