Election Atonement and the Holy Spirit: Through and Beyond Barth's Theological Interpretation of Scripture: 214 (Princeton Theological Monograph)

This book examines the doctrines of election and atonement in Karl Barths Church Dogmatics taking up Barths own challenge to his reader to surpass his argument and offer a better typological interpretation of the cultic texts. Barths radical re-working of Calvins doctrine of election is one of the most important developments in twentieth-century theology. Christ synthesizes for Barth a particular dialectic: the binary structure of Gods Yes of election and Gods No of rejection. The books central question--how can Jesus simultaneously be both the elected and the rejected (CD II/2) acting as both the judge and the judged (CD IV/1)?--is followed by an exploration of the roles of the Holy Spirit and human freedom in Gods electing and saving action. Commentators both acknowledge Barths innovation in this area and identify problems with his approach but few have offered what David Ford has called a correction from within Barth using Barths own method. Using the concept of Existenzstellvertretung this critique of Barths exegetical justification for the doctrines offers an alternative exegesis that not only provides this much-needed correction but also immerses the reader in a fresh engagement with Scripture itself. Probing Karl Barths magisterial revision of the traditional doctrines of election and reconciliation Matthias Grebe offers a constructive critique of the forensic understanding of Christs saving work. His comprehensive and carefully developed argument coupled with an in-depth knowledge of recent debates in biblical studies sets a high standard for future study of the Church Dogmatics. --Matthias Gockel Friedrich-Schiller University Jena Jena Germany This book offers a close reading of the central pillars of Barths theology: the result a constructive pushing of the doctrines of election and atonement in new directions. Wrestling with the biblical tradition Grebe plays Barth at his own game and tests the exegeses that lie at the heart of Barths dogmatic proposals. Grebe emerges as a reliable interpreter of Barths thought and a provocative theologian in his own right. --Ashley Cocksworth The Queens Foundation Birmingham UK Grebe has produced a bold and important book on a central theme for Barth studies and theology more broadly. Grebes approach of considering Barths theology in light of biblical interpretation is not only a sound one but also one which reflects Barths own concerns and sets an important trajectory for Barth studies in the future. --Tom Greggs University of Aberdeen Aberdeen Scotland Revd Dr Matthias Grebe studied theology at Tubingen Cambridge and Princeton. He is currently a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Bonn.