What’s Interesting about Karl Barth? Barth as Polemical and Descriptive Theologian

Much of the interest in Karl Barth’s theology has been found in the formal elements of his theology, whether a single thought‐form or multiple forms. Most of that interest focuses on Barth’s epistemology or his ‘actualism’. This article suggests that material theological loci , expounded descriptively, and often with a polemical intent, were at the heart of Barth’s work, and are still the richest vein of his theology. Metaphysics and epistemology were subservient to material dogmatic affirmations. The article closes with some observations on the continuing relevance of Barth’s theology.