God the Eternal Contemporary: Trinity Eternity and Time in Karl Barth

Description: The relation of the eternal God to time and history has perplexed theologians and philosophers for centuries. How can Christians describe a God who is distinct from time but acts within it? This book presents one creative and profound approach to this perennial theme by examining the theology of Karl Barth. Contrary to interpretations of Barth that suggest he held a view of eternity as abstracted from time and history this comprehensive study suggests that he provides a more complex and fruitful understanding. Rather than defining eternity in a negative relation to time Barth relates eternity and time with reference to such doctrines as the Trinity and incarnation. This ensures overcoming what he saw as the Babylonian Captivity of an abstract philosophical definition of eternity that developed in the Western tradition. The central argument of the book suggests an analogia trinitaria temporis a basic analogy between the eternal being of God and Gods creating and activity within time. Also implicit in Barths view is a narrative view of time similar to the view of Paul Ricoeur which unfolds as the Church Dogmatics develops. Endorsements: Adrian Langdon has done Barth scholars an important service by pursuing Barths treatment of time and eternity into volumes III and IV of the Dogmatics. His patient exposition of the subject is not only more comprehensive than other attempts but features aspects of Barths approach not commonly noticed. Both skeptics and enthusiasts will find much to ponder here. --Douglas Farrow Professor of Christian Thought McGill University How properly to relate time and eternity has been a pesky Gordian knot to theologians and philosophers alike. Though he argues that Karl Barth has not yet succeeded in slicing through the troublesome knot Langdon expertly sympathetically yet critically guides readers through Barths Trinitarian approach to the problem--an approach which does not find itself in the Babylonian captivity of an abstract notion of eternity set in opposition to time. -- David Guretzki Associate Professor of Theology Church and Public Life Briercrest College and Seminary Skillfully utilizing Karl Barths Trinitarian theology and Christology Adrian Langdon presents an enlightening and engaging view of time and eternity that helpfully explains how and why a Trinitarian understanding overcomes traditional difficulties that arise from opposing time change and motion to eternity and thus undercutting the fact that the triune God is first and foremost a living moving and acting God. Readers will find here a valuable guide to this enduringly difficult topic. --Paul D. Molnar Professor of Systematic Theology St. Johns University About the Contributor(s): Adrian E. V. Langdon (PhD McGill University) currently lectures in the Department of Religions and Cultures at Nipissing University Ontario Canada. He has published articles in Pro Ecclesia Princeton Theological Review and Toronto Journal of Theology.