Covenanted Solidarity: The Theological Basis of Karl Barth's Opposition to Nazi Antisemitism and the Holocaust

by Mark R. Lindsay

Overview

This new work by Australian scholar Mark R. Lindsay explores the controversial issue of whether and how the Swiss theologian Karl Barth responded to the antisemitic policies of Nazi Germany. Drawing on, and arguing against, recent debates within the fields of Barthian, Holocaust, and Kirchenkampf literature, Lindsay argues that not only were Barth’s political actions in thoroughgoing opposition to both the Nazi regime and its inherent antisemitism, but that this stance was firmly based on his dogmatic theology, in particular, the Church Dogmatics. On the basis of his interpretation of Barth’s theology and its particular political expressions (such as the 1934 Barmen Declaration), Lindsay rejects the commonly held assumption that Barth was indifferent to the Jewish plight and suggests that his resistance was at least as comprehensive as Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780820451916
Publisher:	Peter Lang Publishing Inc.
Publication date:	09/04/2001
Series:	Issues in Systematic Theology Series , #9
Pages:	342
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.06(h) x (d)

About the Author

The Author: Mark R. Lindsay earned his Ph.D. in historical theology at the University of Western Australia, where he currently teaches history and European studies. He has published articles in the fields of Barthian and post-Holocaust theology and has a particular interest in Jewish-Christian reconciliation.

Editorial Reviews

«Recent research has shown that when it really counted, during the 1930s and 1940s, Karl Barth was far more intensively involved on behalf of the Jews than has previously been understood. His practical efforts grew directly out of his theology, which, despite current scholarly opinion, is not well described as «supersessionist». «Covenanted solidarity» – Mark R. Lindsay’s happy alternative – is much closer to the mark. His book makes an outstanding contribution. The chapter on Karl Barth’s anti-Nazi Christology is alone worth the price of the book.» (George Hunsinger, Director, Center for Barth Studies, Princeton Theological Seminary)
«Mark R. Lindsay’s meticulous study examines the vexed issue of Karl Barth’s treatment of Judaism. By exploring the logic of Barth’s thought in the context of his opposition to National Socialism, Lindsay reveals how Barth sought to overcome the antisemitism that bedeviled his culture. What emerged was a theology that sought to unite Jews and Christians as the people of God under one covenant. This volume is a significant addition both to Barth scholarship and to Jewish-Christian dialogue.» (D. A. S. Fergusson, Professor of Divinity, University of Edinburgh)

From the Publisher

Commencing with a chronology of the Swiss theologian's (), 1931-48, this study argues against the common view that Barth was indifferent to the Jews' plight by showing that he engaged in anti-Nazi actions on the basis of his theology. The author examines Barth's resistance in the context of church-state relations and anti-Semitism in Germany, the evolution of his Christology, and his ambivalence about biblical Israel. Lindsay teaches history and European studies at the U. of Western Australia, where he wrote the doctoral dissertation on which this work is based (date not specified). The "covenanted solidarity" of the title appears in a paper he presented at a 1997 US conference on German churches and the Holocaust. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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