| dc.description.abstract | This thesis investigates the concept of Christian freedom in the paragraphs 64 to 67 of the Church Dogmatics by Karl Barth. After an analysis of the Christian freedom based on the text of these paragraphs itself an analysis based on aspects of Christian freedom derived from “De Spiritu et de littera” by Augustinus and “Von der Freiheit eines Christenmenschen” by Luther is given. In this analysis specific research questions concerning the connection between Christian freedom and human relationships, the connection between the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ human being in the Christian and Christian responsibility are investigated.
Christian freedom in the paragraphs 64 to 67 of the Church Dogmatics is described as a God given en positively filled freedom. Christian freedom is the possibility and the reality of faith, of knowing, acknowledging the truth and of living according to it. This truth is the fact that the existence of Jesus Christ is objectively real and thereby factually possible for the Christian.
Based on “De Spiritu et de littera” and “Von der Freiheit eines Christenmenschen”, human freedom is described as the freedom to act and the freedom to live. Aspects of the freedom to act are first to choose, secondly to have the possibility or ability to and thirdly to desire. Aspects of the freedom to live are first space, defined as what a human being needs and what is asked from him to reach a fulfilled human life and secondly the human self. Based on these five aspects the paragraphs 64 to 67 of the Church Dogmatics are analysed. It becomes visible that Christian freedom according to Barth in these paragraphs is not about the freedom to act but about the freedom to live. According to the described aspects man is free to sin, but Barth describes this as not being free. Furthermore questions about Barths description of the Christian human self are explicated en serve as suggestions for further research. | |
