The Dialectics of Discipleship: Karl Barth, Sanctification and Theological Ethics

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Interrogating Barths discipleship-shaped vision of sanctification, this book investigates both Lutheran and Calvinian source material to develop an account that differs markedly from other Lutheran and Calvinist perspectives. Highlighting the robustly theological and Christ-centred character of Barths account, Chris Swann demonstrates that, far from merely valorising human activity, Barth advances an understanding of human moral agency, action, and suffering that is real but relative to the agency of God in Christ to which it corresponds analogously. With a focus on the role the image of discipleship plays in giving conceptual structure and shape to Barths distinctive account of the correspondence between divine agency and sanctified human agency, this book evaluates the ramifications of his discipleship-shaped vision of sanctification. In doing this, it gives special attention to Barths own personal mixed record with regard to Christian discipleship. Ultimately, Swann retrieves a number of important resources for contemporary theological ethics from Barths theology of discipleship.

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The two great strengths of Chris Swanns book are, first, his careful and detailed delineation of Barths account of the call to discipleship and its pivotal role within his doctrine of sanctification, and the subsequent treatment of church and Christian life in Church Dogmatics IV/2. Second, his consistent focus on what was surely a central concern of Karl Barth throughout his career: the practical utility of theology for the life and proclamation of the Christian community. Swann displays with clarity and sensitivity the relevance of the call to discipleship for the church and the Christian vis--vis the world, avoiding the twin dangers of cultural accommodation and reactionary sectarianism. Faithful response to the present call and direction of the one Lord frees the believers for joyful openness to the world in missional self-giving, in correspondence to the way of Jesus himself in the world. This is a book not only for Barth scholars but pastors and others concerned with present life and witness of Gods people in the world. * Michael ONeil, Morling College, Australia *
In this constructive study, Chris Swann identifies the theme of discipleship as the governing motif in Karl Barths theology of sanctification. Swann carefully contrasts Barths program with the Reformers and develops his argument in close and critical interaction with Barth scholarship past and present. Given the growing number of cursory accounts of discipleship, this study offers a much-needed corrective as Swann carefully probes the theological intricacies of discipleship and teases out their moral implications. Theologically astute and pastorally sensitive, Chris Swann recovers the importance of Christian discipleship for church and academy today. This study will be of considerable value both to the Barth scholar and any reader seeking a more nuanced account of discipleship that is firmly rooted in the doctrine of sanctification. * Michael Brutigam, Melbourne School of Theology/Australian College of Theology, Australia *

Author Bio

Chris Swann is Director of Training for City to City Australia as well as adjunct lecturer in Ministry and Practice at Ridley College, Australia