Theology for Dummies - Dialectical Theology

Dialectical Theology is also known as Neo-orthodoxy. It was in large part the child of two theologians -- Karl Barth and Emil Brunner although Barth himself felt uneasy about being labeled. Dialectical theology is in large part a reaction to the liberalism of the 19th century and basically sought to reevaluate the teachings of the Reformation.

In Dialectical theology there are basically four main themes: 1) A rejection of natural revelation in favor of completely embracing special revelation; 2) A emphasis on the transcendence of God with a strong critique of systems that belived in immanence of God; 3) Existentialism -- the idea that the decision to become a Christian is not a rational decision but a 'leap of faith' and 4) a renovation and re-emphasis on the doctrine of original sin.

I have studied this one a lot in seminary, I became fascinated by Karl Barth and his work. The ultimate problem I had was that this is basically a reformation of the Reformation but it seemed to be contradictory.

1. By rejecting natural revelation and placing emphasis on special revelation Barth still did not reject the liberal criticism of part of the bible itself. (Jesus' miracles not being real for example). That's what leads him to the whole 'leap of faith' idea. So we can only trust special revelation but that special revelation is untrustworthy?

2. The emphasis on the transcendence of God puts God out there and not with us which seems to be the whole point of the gospels.

3. The 'leap of faith' concept has its weaknesses could one not have a 'leap of faith' then to become a Buddhist or any other religion for that matter.

If you notice though a lot of their concepts still exist today. People still in many respects believe in a God who is out there somewhere, that they can't help themselves when they sin and that parts of the Bible are myth but still remain the only way to know God. Crazy but true. The whole 'leap of faith' concept still exists in many forms.

Most of this I rejected ultimately but the idea of a faith beyond the use of reason and religion did have its appeal to me once upon a time.

Next: liberation theology