Negation and Affirmation, Judgement and Grace: A Political Theology of Reconciliation from Karl Barth's The Christian Life

CURA Colloquium, cosponsored with the School of Theology *Reading the paper in advance is required for attendance. Email cura@bu.edu for the .pdf.* The paper examines the role of Karl Barth’s political activism and theology to develop a political theology of social justice as reconciliation. Barth’s dialectical vision of the Christian life has profound implications for contemporary political theology and practice. It understands the pursuit of justice as inherent in the zeal for honoring the God in whom Christians, and all human beings, have life and freedom, and apart from whom there is no justice or peace. Through this zealous pursuit of God, Christians discern, pursue and bear witness to the reconciliation of God in Christ through their personal lives, the work of the church, and in the wider sphere of political and social life. Bring your own lunch and we'll supply some cookies and coffee.