Systematic Theology after Karl Barth in the French Speaking Area
(2011) Dogmatics after Barth. Facing Challenges in Church, Society and the Academy — Location: Doorn (Netherlands) (7.March.2011)
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- The purpose is to bring up to date Barth’s theological contribution in relationship with what is at stake in the academy where theology receives a scientific duty (1), in the Church, where theology has to take responsibility for a critical status (2) and finally, in society, where theology assumes a public status (3). Following in Barth’s footsteps means promoting theological rationality as a specific rationality among the other modern ones. Here the relationship with the political order has to be tackled. Politics and religion are the two main ‘existentials’ of social life. It is not possible to give a theological account purely on the basis of revelation alone. Political realities and logic have to be analyzed in themselves. This is a presupposition for a balanced theological position. To understand what is going on on a theological-political level, it seems necessary to distinguish between these two fundamental dimensions but not in a way that separates them. This way of proceeding is analogous to the relationship between faith and science. Following in Barth’s footsteps means speaking as a theologian on matters that concern society. An expert in religious matters does not speak from the same standpoint. What is the difference? The latter is speaking from a so-called objective point of view, claiming an axiological neutrality to describe facts and to prescribe right behaviour; the former is telling a story as an insider, as member of a community of faith. The theologian assumes a religious identity, from which he is thinking and speaking whilst the religious expert does not do so. Following in Barth’s footsteps means defending the right to speak as a theologian on community matters. Religion is marginalized in a secular society that suspects religious people of having a hidden agenda. The fear is that Christians or Muslims will always prefer their religious faith to their civic citizenship. In the decision-making process, Christians cannot accept exclusion on the assumption that only arguments, based on reasonable public relevance may be proposed. The evolution of Jürgen Habermas’ thought on this is highly significant. Religion may have a positive and even decisive function in strengthening the sense of social solidarity as well as the sense of human dignity.
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Bourgine, B. (2011). Systematic Theology after Karl Barth in the French Speaking Area. In Günter Thomas; Rinse Reeling Brouwer; Bruce McCormack (ed.), Dogmatics after Barth: Facing Challenges in Church, Society and the Academy (p. p. 25-36). https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/231420