More than atonement: the event of the cross in the theology of Karl Barth

Abstract

This thesis investigates the way in which the event of the cross, discussed throughout Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics, performs a significant role in several doctrines including the doctrines of revelation, God, election, and reconciliation, and is an essential aspect of Barth's writings concerning Christology, pneumatology, and ethics. This thesis will focus particular attention on the short section of the Church Dogmatics volume IV - paragraph 59.2 "The Judge judged in our place" - in which Barth concentrates on the event of the cross. In this thesis Barth's interpretation and use of the event of the cross will be compared to the thoughts of other theologians including Martin Luther and Jiirgen Moltmann. The interpretation of those who misread Barth's doctrine of reconciliation will be analysed and responses to these errors will be formulated from the Church Dogmatics.