Guest AuthorDr Nixon de Vera is an alumnus of the University of Divinity, having completed his PhD in 2019. His thesis, The Suffering of God in the Eternal Decree: A Critical Study of Karl Barth on Election was published as a book in 2020. His monograph has recently been reviewed by Professor Paul D. Molnar and this book review is published in the Journal of Theological Studies (June 2023).
Publication details Journal Article
University of Divinity
Carolyn Alsen
Book Endorser:
—Jürgen Moltmann, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology, University of Tübingen
‘This is an excellent study of Karl Barth’s ‘theology of the cross’ in his doctrine of election and his Christology. The author digs deeply in Barth’s early period of the Calvin-Lectures and his Göttinger dogmatics through to Barth’s mature christological insights in the doctrine of reconciliation (IV/1 and IV/2). I fear the author is right with his conclusion: “Barth’s God is impassible yet at the same time passible.” This abstract contradiction is due to the fact that Barth used the freedom of choice for God’s freedom, not the concept of communicative freedom. God’s ‘suffering in the eternal Decree of election’ is revealed in God’s suffering between repentance and faithfulness in Gen 6:6. Therefore I maintain the vulnerable and suffering God who is faithful to Godself and us humans.’