The reception and relevance of Karl Barth in South Africa Reflections on “doing theology” in South Africa after sixty years in conversation with Barth

John De Gruchy

doi:10.17570/stj.2019.v5n1.a01

Abstract

The article traces the reception of Barth’s theology from the Second World War through to the present in ecumenical and missiological circles, and in theological education. But the major focus is on the resistance to Barth on the part of theological advocates of apartheid, and his positive influence of key participants in the church struggle against apartheid. In addition, there is discussion of the black theological response to Barth and the significance of his legacy for democratic transformation in post-apartheid South Africa.

Highlights

IntroductionHow is it possible to ascertain the reception of Barth and evaluate his relevance in South Africa, so far removed from Basel in geographical and cultural space from Barth’s historical context? Do we survey academic courses and dissertations, consider the ways in which his work has inspired preachers, informed theological educators, influenced mission or energized
How is it possible to ascertain the reception of Barth and evaluate his relevance in South Africa, so far removed from Basel in geographical and cultural space from Barth’s historical context? Do we survey academic courses and dissertations, consider the ways in which his work has inspired preachers, informed theological educators, influenced mission or energizedDe Gruchy STJ 2019, Vol 5, No 1, 11–28 political witness? And is his relevance dependent on whether he has been named or on the extent of his anonymous influence, Barth incognito? After all, Barth was a major figure in the revival of biblical theology and in the shaping of the ecumenical movement both of which have influenced us all probably without knowing about his role
The first is the predominance of the Reformed tradition and the role played by Calvinism in shaping colonial and modern South Africa

Summary

Introduction

How is it possible to ascertain the reception of Barth and evaluate his relevance in South Africa, so far removed from Basel in geographical and cultural space from Barth’s historical context? Do we survey academic courses and dissertations, consider the ways in which his work has inspired preachers, informed theological educators, influenced mission or energized. How is it possible to ascertain the reception of Barth and evaluate his relevance in South Africa, so far removed from Basel in geographical and cultural space from Barth’s historical context? Barth was a major figure in the revival of biblical theology and in the shaping of the ecumenical movement both of which have influenced us all probably without knowing about his role. The reception of Barth’s theology in South Africa has not been different from elsewhere, but there are two reasons why it has been distinct. Perhaps most important for the reception of Barth’s theology in South Africa has been its “prophetic” rather than systematic character.. Theology, for Barth, was about discerning and proclaiming God’s Word in response to worldly events and human needs, and his theology was decidedly political and contextual, while always striving to be subject to the Word alone

The early reception of Barth in South Africa

24 The Unquestionable Right to Be Free

Barth and democratic transformation