Disruptive Grace

Among the studies of Karl Barth’s thought, no other work covers, as this one does, the areas of political, doctrinal, and ecumenical theology in single compass. Written by a leading Barth scholar, Disruptive Grace is unique not only for its range of study, depth of insight, and accuracy of presentation, but also for the way it displays the heart as well as the mind of the great Swiss pastor and theologian.

Each of the book’s three main sections consists of five major essays. Part 1 relates Barth to contemporary issues of social justice, war, and peace. Part 2 covers christology, pneumatology, the Trinity, scriptural interpretation, and the question of universal salvation. Part 3 discusses the Reformed tradition as Barth understood it in relation to Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, modern liberalism, evangelical conservatism, and the postliberal theology of the contemporary Yale school. The book concludes with a meditation on the saving significance of Christ’s death, a theme that runs throughout the book.

The result of more than twenty-five years of intensive Barth research, this volume provides scholars, teachers, and students with a thorough discussion of the twentieth century’s most significant Christian thinker.