ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how Barth interprets the biblical figure of Mary and Roman Catholic Mariology in light of his broader discussion of the doctrine of the virgin birth. For Barth, the virgin birth 'fits' with the central matter of revelation, while Mariology does not. However, Barth's own position is not entirely antithetical to Roman Catholic Mariology and, indeed, he maintains several of the fundamental convictions treasured also by Rome. Attention to Mary helps us to understand Barth's interpretation of the virgin birth because in Mary we can see the act of God's revelation and reconciliation from the perspective of its impact upon humanity. The broader contours of Barth's treatment of the humanity of Jesus Christ and his doctrine of sanctification, particularly the fact that Jesus Christ himself is the sanctification of human beings, are Barth's answer to Roman Catholic Mariology. Barth's language in this chapter echoes his discussion of human agency later on in the Church Dogmatics (CD).
