Barth's speculative theology and the kirchliche Dogmatik

pp. 231-278

in: Sigurd Baark, The affirmations of reason, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018

Abstract

I pursue my findings from the previous chapter through an analysis of the first volumes of the Kirchliche Dogmatik, narrowing in on freedom as a divine attribute in light of Barth's speculative theology. I take my cues in part from Barth's reflections on the affirmative aspect of the theological use of reason in light of the freedom of God and his brief exploration of the beauty of God, also found in the account of the attributes of divine freedom in Kirchliche Dogmatik II,1. Finally, I argue that the art of Caspar David Friedrich can serve as a visual accompaniment to Barth's speculative theology.