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Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to summarize Karl Barth’s views on the doctrine of salvation. This paper will also address two questions: (1) Was Barth a universalist?; and (2) How would Barth respond to current discussions concerning pluralism and inclusivism?

Barth’s Soteriology: An Overview

For Barth, salvation is an objective event—Christ objectively united the entire human race to Himself and wrought salvation for all by His victory on the cross. With Christ’s death, the world’s sin was judged; in His resurrection, the human race was vindicated. Christology is the cornerstone of Barth’s views on soteriology.

Barth’s View on Predestination

According to Barth, “The doctrine of election is the sum of the Gospel.” His approach to predestination is based on two main assertions: (1) Jesus Christ is electing God; and (2) Jesus Christ is elected man. For Barth, predestination is eternal in that it precedes time. Predestination is also Christologically based. Jesus is the subject in election in that He elects others. Jesus is also the object of God’s election.

Barth explains what God elected in the eternal election of Jesus Christ. “God elected or predestinated Himself” (Church Dogmatics II/2, 162). There are two sides to the will of God in the election of Jesus Christ. In fact, there is a “double predestination” (CD II/2, 162). In the election of Jesus Christ, God positively ascribed salvation and life to man. Negatively, God ascribed reprobation, perdition, and death to Himself (CD II/2, 163). Positively, at Calvary, God said Yes to His Son and humanity that is in Him. Negatively, God elected Himself to be man’s Partner and took upon Himself the rejection, death, and hell that man deserved. Barth’s view of predestination, then, leads only to “divine glory,” “blessedness,” and “eternal life” for man (CD II/2, 171). There is no foreordination to evil or damnation. To Barth, God is Creator, Reconciler and Redeemer, not the opposite.