Karl Barth as Theologian of Nature

Christ and the Order of Creation

AvJonathan Lett,Ian a. McFarland

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

Del i serien T&T Clark Studies in Systematic Theology

1 386 kr

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Beskrivning

To call Karl Barth a “theologian of nature” may seem like a stretch to those who know him as the great opponent of natural theology. This book argues that Barth’s rejection of natural theology and the “orders of creation” does not impede his development of a robust account of creation’s nature and order. It makes the case, first, by tracing the development of his theology of nature from Romans I to the completion of his doctrine of creation in the Church Dogmatics. Second, it examines the ways in which Barth's doctrine of creation is shaped by his doctrine of election. Creation exhibits constant structures, patterns, and limits that are real because they are determined and ordered by our election as creatures in Christ. Third, a close reading of his ethics of creation shows that without this quasi-essentialist ontology of creation’s nature, Barth’s ethics of creation are unintelligible. The book pushes interpreters to grapple with this quasi-essentialist understanding of creation’s nature and order that animate even Barth’s starkest “actualistic” moments. When Barth's theology of nature is given its proper due, the eudaimonistic essence of his ethics comes into full view.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2026-11-12
Mått:156 x 234 x 12 mm
Vikt:323 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Serie:T&T Clark Studies in Systematic Theology
Antal sidor:224
Förlag:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN:9780567728319

Utforska kategorier

Kristendom inom Filosofi och religion
Religion: allmänt inom Filosofi och religion

Mer om författaren

Jonathan Lett is Assistant Professor at the Le Tourneau University, USA.

Recensioner i media

In this rigorous and deeply researched study, marked by profound theological insight, Jonathan Lett challenges widespread misunderstandings of Karl Barth’s interpretation of nature. Barth’s rejection of natural theology, natural law, and the orders of creation is often taken to signal a fundamentally negative attitude toward creation’s nature and order. Lett demonstrates, convincingly and with careful textual analysis, that the opposite is true.Overturning reductive portrayals of Barth as governed by an actualist or historicist agenda indifferent to metaphysical questions, Lett shows that Barth develops a rich and robust ontology of creation—one grounded decisively in the person of Jesus Christ.This timely volume is both intellectually demanding and richly rewarding. Its significance extends well beyond Barth studies: it deserves close attention from all who are concerned with the doctrine of creation and with the task of thinking theologically about the natural order.

Innehållsförteckning

Introduction1. The Theological Problem of "Nature"2. Election and the Ordering of Doctrine3. simul iustus et peccator: Incarnation and Creaturely Being4. Ethics and Created OrderConclusion: A Sketch of Creaturely Nature and OrderBibliographyIndex