ABSTRACT

This book explores the doctrine of ascension, and Barth's ascension thought in particular. First, it examines the doctrine of Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven, presenting a sustained discussion of Karl Barth's approach to this doctrine and the significance of the doctrine within his theology as a whole. Secondly, through examining Barth's ascension thought and dialoguing with three other theologians (Torrance, Farrow and Jenson), a clearer understanding of Barth and his theology is achieved. The treatment of issues related to Christ's ascension across a broader (protestant) perspective increases the relevance and usefulness of this unique study. Andrew Burgess presents the doctrine of the ascension as an important and undervalued doctrine and encourages Christians to see how, like Barth, they might benefit in their ability to think coherently about the present age and about Jesus in relation to this age, enabling further thought about the work of the Holy Spirit, the church, and Christian ethics.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

part I|100 pages

Karl Barth on Jesus’ Ascension and Heavenly Session

chapter 1|14 pages

The Shape of Barth’s Theology

chapter 2|30 pages

The Doctrine of the Ascension

chapter 3|21 pages

Ascension and the Church

chapter 4|20 pages

Ascension and the Christian

(Church Dogmatics I/2, section 18)

chapter 5|13 pages

Conclusion to Part I

‘The Significance of the Ascension in Barth’

part II|95 pages

Dialogues

chapter 6|26 pages

Thomas F. Torrance

‘Between Barth and Farrow’

chapter 9|14 pages

Conclusion: The Ascended Lord