DESCRIPTION: This is a CATS doctoral seminar open to a limited number of master's level students. It will involve a contextual study of the major contours of Karl Barth's theology with a focus on selected themes and readings. It will deal with the development of his theology, including an introduction to Barth's life and thought, examination of his theological method, central themes in his theology, critical response to Barth by representative evangelical theologians, and the significance of his thought for evangelical and ecumenical theology. Selected portions from Barth's Church Dogmatics and other works will be discussed in class, dealing with revelation, the knowledge of God, creation, reconciliation, ethics, ecclesiology, politics, and the missio Dei.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Karl Barth was one of the most important theologians of the 20th century. As a theologian of the church he responded to the social and political realities of his generation. His theological works continue to have an impact throughout the world on the lives and ministries of thoughtful Christians who seek to understand him. This course is designed to interpret the significance of Barth's theology for the evangelical and global church today.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will

1. gain a contextual understanding of the life and theological vision of Karl Barth;

2. be able understand and express Barth's basic theological method;

3. gain an overview of Barth's dogmatic theology;

4. research and develop an understanding of one aspect of Barth's theology in depth;

5. develop skills in reading Barth's theology critically and in articulating their theological views;

6. be able to interpret the significance of Barth's theology for the evangelical and global church today.

Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics, 14 volumes. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2010. 9233 pages,

ISBN: 9781598564426 (order for $99 from www.christianbook.com).

Barth, Karl. Evangelical Theology: An Introduction. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992. 206 pages.

ISBN: 9780802818195, Price: $20.

Busch, Eberhard. Karl Barth: His Life from Letters and Autobiographical Texts. Translated by John Bowden. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2005. 512 pages, ISBN: 9781597521697, Price: $60.

Busch, Eberhard. The Great Passion: An Introduction to Karl Barth's Theology. Translated by Geoffrey Bromiley. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004. 301 pages, ISBN: 9780802848932, Price: $30.

Chung, Paul S. Karl Barth: God's Word in Action. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2008. Selected portions. 110 pages, ISBN: 9781556355271, Price: $55.

Chung, Sung Wook, ed. Karl Barth and Evangelical Theology: Convergences and Divergences. Baker, 2006. 282 pages, ISBN: 9780801031274, Price: $32.

Mangina, Joseph L. Karl Barth: Theologian of Christian Witness. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 2004. 200 pages, ISBN: 9780664228934, Price: $29.95.

McCormack, Bruce L. Karl Barth's Critically Realistic Dialectical Theology: Its Genesis and Development 1909-1936. Oxford University Press, 1997. Selected portions, 325 pages, ISBN: 9780198269564, Price: $99.

Webster, John, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Karl Barth. Cambridge University Press, 2000. 306 pages, ISBN: 9780521585606, Price: $33.99.

1. do a careful reading of the required texts prior to each class and participate actively in class discussion;

2. provide a written report and presentation on the day's reading and facilitate the class discussion on the assigned reading.

3. write a research paper (about 25-30 pages) on a topic chosen in consultation with the professor.

Final grades will be earned according to the following formula: regular attendance and participation, 10%; class preparation and presentation, 30%; and the research paper, 60%. Requirements will be adjusted appropriately for master's level students.