Abstract

After the Second World War, a renewed interest in the doctrine of election became evident. Several influential and leading theologians published monographs on divine election. One reason for this was the publication of the second part of volume two of Karl Barth’s Kirchliche Dogmatik during 1942. Barth regarded the doctrine of election as the heart of the gospel. Fifty years after Barth’s death and in the year in which reformed churches all over the world commemorate the Synod of Dort (1618–1619), this contribution reflects on Barth’s revisionist understanding of election and his critique of the Canons of Dort.

Highlights

  • During 2018, 50 years after Barth’s death (10 December 1968) and 400 years after the Synod of Dort (1618–1619) it seems appropriate to reflect on Barth’s revisionist understanding of election and his critique of the Canons of Dort

  • Karl Barth ([1942] 1957) wrote: It is a well-known historical fact that more than any other doctrine the doctrine of predestination2 stamped itself upon the face of the Reformed Church, or rather of 16th and 17th century theology, distinguishing it from others. (p. 36)

  • Barth’s Kirchliche Dogmatik II/2 (KD II/2) is nine times the size of Calvin’s Institutio Christianae Religionis and twice the size of Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae (Lindsay 2004:328). His systematic and extensive exposition of the doctrine of election is to be found in Chapter VII of the KD II/2 and covers more than 500 pages

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Summary

Barth on election and the Canons of Dort

Read online: Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to read online. After the Second World War, a renewed interest in the doctrine of election became evident. Several influential and leading theologians published monographs on divine election. One reason for this was the publication of the second part of volume two of Karl Barth’s Kirchliche Dogmatik during 1942. Barth regarded the doctrine of election as the heart of the gospel. Fifty years after Barth’s death and in the year in which reformed churches all over the world commemorate the Synod of Dort (1618–1619), this contribution reflects on Barth’s revisionist understanding of election and his critique of the Canons of Dort

History and context
Open Access
Barth and the reformed confessions
Introductory remarks
The election of Jesus Christ
The election of the individual
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

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