Open AccessThe reception and relevance of Karl Barth in South Africa Reflections on “doing theology” in South Africa after sixty years in conversation with Barth
Author(s) -
John de Gruchy
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
stellenbosch theological journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2413-9467
pISSN - 2413-9459
DOI - 10.17570/stj.2019.v5n1.a01
Subject(s) - conversation , resistance (ecology) , theology , relevance (law) , democracy , sociology , religious studies , gender studies , history , philosophy , political science , law , politics , communication , ecology , biology
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.