Covering Up Luther: How Barth's Christology Challenged the Deus Absconditus That Haunts Modernity: 9 (Veritas)

Karl Barths Christology provides a key to out-narrating the Deus absconditus which as Rustin Brian contends is in fact the god of modernity. Included in this is the rejection of the logical and philosophical systems that allow for the modern understanding of God as the Deus absconditus namely dialectics and nominalism. This rejection is illustrated interestingly enough in Barths decision to literally cover up with a rug Martin Luthers works in his personal library. Surely this was more than a decorative touch. The reading of Barths works that results from this starting point challenges much of contemporary Barth scholarship and urges readers to reconsider Barth. Through careful examination of a large body of Barths writings particularly in regard to the issues of the knowledge or knowability of God as well as Christology Brian argues that contemporary Barth scholarship should be done in careful conversation with the finest examples of both Protestant and especially Roman Catholic theology. Barths paradoxical Christology thus becomes the foundation for a dogmatic ecumenicism. Barths Christology then just might be able to open up possibilities for discussion and even convergence within a church that is anything but one.