The Encyclopedia of Protestantism: Volume 2 D–K
Karl Barth
Generally considered the greatest theologian of the twentieth century, KARL BARTH’S view of justification warrants consideration, not because he fully developed a new understanding of the doctrine but because his theological outlook has important implications for this doctrine. In general Barth’s theology may be described as an extended reflection on the fact that God has spoken to humanity (Deus dixit) in Christ, thus overcoming the epistemological chasm separating them. Christianity therefore is not so much about justification by faith alone as about God revealing himself to the individual. As such, soteriological considerations are secondary to his focus on revelation.
Indeed, it has been argued that Barth has placed the divine revelation to sinful humanity at precisely the point where Luther placed the divine justification of sinful humanity.
Second, Barth’s conception of gemina praedestinatio (double predestination) has significant implications for his doctrine of justification. Instead of grounding predestination in the eternal will of God whereby some are elected to eternal salvation and some to eternal damnation, as the reformers did, Barth made Jesus the ultimate focal point of his understanding of double predestination. Christ, according to Barth, represents the ELECTION of all humanity and at the same time the reprobation of all. That is to say, in Christ all are elect and will share in eternal life, but Christ is also reprobated for all. Although Barth was reluctant to admit a doctrine of apokatastasis (universal salvation), this seems to be the logical trajectory of his doctrine of double predestination. Inevitably his doctrine of justification seems to relativize sin and divine judgment, which in turn diminishes any historic understanding of justification.
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