God's Word in Action

In his creative and original book, Paul S. Chung interprets Karl Barth as a theologian of divine action. Chung appreciates Barth s dogmatic theology as both contextual and irregular, and he retrieves neglected aspects of Barth s thought. The book clarifies Barth s early interest in social and political thought. It also explores the political dimension in his later dogmatic writings, particularly in relation to his theology of Israel and issues of theologia naturalis and religious pluralism. Barth s theology can only properly be understood through his social commitment, and Chung, drawing together German and Anglo-Saxon theology shows how Barth s political ideas relate to his theology. Chung portrays Karl Barth as a radical theologian with a convincing aptitude. I personally appreciate the kinship this independent reading has with my own footsteps, identifying Barth as a resisting theologian. Peter Winzeler, University of Berne An ambitious and groundbreaking study. Chung makes a signi cant contribution to the renewal of Barth studies by combining methodological, biographical, social/political, and theology-of-religions perspectives. Veli-Matti K rkk inen, Fuller Theological Seminary Chung s lucid study of Karl Barth s theology displays and mobilizes the power of Barth s thinking and praxis for present-day socio-historical biblical exegesis, including ecumenical, intercultural, interreligious, and liberating theology and praxis. Ulrich Duchrow, University of Heidelberg Paul S. Chung is Assistant Professor at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Iowa. He is the author of 'Martin Luther and Buddhism', also published by James Clarke and Co, as well as many articles.