Seeds of Ambivalence Sown: Barth’s Use of Calvin in Der Römerbrief II (1922)

Abstract

Karl Barth’s theological relationship with John Calvin has been ignored by scholars for too long without any legitimate reason. Since Barth repeatedly affirmed his strong indebtedness to Calvin’s theology, it is essential to explicate his relationship to him in order to understand correctly the character of his theology. Der Römerbrief II (1922), which was written to replace Der Römerbrief I (1919), shows that Barth made a very careful use of Calvin’s exegetical and theological arguments in constructing his own exegetical positions. Even though Barth appreciates positively Calvin's theological insight in many aspects, he is not totally approving in his reappropriation of Calvin’s wisdom. in particular, one can find the incipient seeds of Barth’s ambivalence toward and revolt against Calvin in the former’s serious reservations about the latter’s doctrine of predestination. Thus it is arguable that in spite of Barth’s appreciative endorsement of what he sees as Calvin’s valid insights and arguments, the seeds of Barth’s serious challenge against his life-time mentor, Calvin, were already sown in Der Römerbrief II.