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The Perfection of Glory in Humility: What K arl B arth would have had to Say about Redemption
Author(s) -
Smith Aaron
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of systematic theology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.149
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 1468-2400
pISSN - 1463-1652
DOI - 10.1111/ijst.12099
Subject(s) - glory , humiliation , humility , perfection , philosophy , magnum opus , humanity , theology , literature , art , law , political science , physics , optics
K arl B arth famously was not able to complete his magnum opus, C hurch D ogmatics , the final volume of which was to treat the doctrine of redemption. But the general contours of what B arth would have had to say in that volume can be discovered by following the trajectory of his thought, specifically as key developments in his later work are set next to his discussion of redemption in his first lecture cycle in dogmatics at G öttingen. This article contends that in view of revisions to his treatment of C hrist's humiliation and exaltation, which reflect his handling of election in CD II /2, B arth would have had to conclude three things about redemption. First, C hrist's humiliation for us is an eternal act not set aside in the eschaton . Secondly, humanity's eschatological exaltation takes the form of actualized utter dependence on G od defined by corresponding life‐acts of uninterrupted self‐giving. And thirdly, that ‘redemption’ entails having a share in G od's unique freedom to have his life in and with another; just this is life in the Spirit. Together, these conclusions characterize a kind of glory which is not opposed to humility but perfected in humility.