When we convert and are renewed in the totality of our being, we cross the threshold of our private existence and move out into the open. The inner problems may be most urgent and burning and exciting, but we are not engaged in conversion if we confine ourselves to them.... When we convert and are renewed in the totality of our being, in and with our private responsibility we also accept a public responsibility. For it is the great God of heaven and earth who is for us, and we are for this God. [Church Dogmatics IV: 2, 565]
Barth reminds us that conversion is not primarily about the individual/personal but social/public. Obviously this includes the individual/personal but the end is always the community, the world, the kingdom.
By the way, does anyone know of a free place online where I can read Barth?
PTS Library has the digital barth library, its pretty much got every thing you could ever want to read. And I think your understanding of Barth here is right on the money. Not only does our conversion demand that we move into the public realm, it does so because of who God is, that is God is to and for the world and we as the community, the Church, who worships this God must also be to and for the world, moving into the world as God does.
ReplyDeletehere's the url:
ReplyDeletehttp://solomon.dkbl.alexanderstreet.com/
so the CD is not up in english yet, but there are plenty of other resources there.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great quote for sure. Thanks!
ReplyDeletejustin do you know chris, because I definitely have class with him.
ReplyDeletewhat is the username and password?
ReplyDeletewhat is the username and password?
ReplyDeletethey require a user name? and a password? I thought it was generally accessible to anyone. I'll look into it.
ReplyDelete