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Barth and Bonhoeffer: Saviors of Democracy?
- Author(s):
- Adam McDuffie (see profile)
- Date:
- 2021
- Group(s):
- Religious Studies
- Subject(s):
- Religion, Law, History, Theology, Barth, Karl, 1886-1968, Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, 1906-1945, Liberalism, Civilization, Modern
- Item Type:
- Book review
- Tag(s):
- Democracy, Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Modernity
- Permanent URL:
- https://doi.org/10.17613/tn1z-h066
- Abstract:
- This review explores the arguments of Joshua Mauldin in his new volume Barth, Bonhoeffer, & Modern Politics. In this work, Mauldin turns to history, and the writings of Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in search of helpful examples to which society can turn in an era when the modern democratic project appears perpetually to be teetering upon a knife's edge. Mauldin presents a compelling argument, with the support of illuminating analysis of Barth and Bonhoeffer’s work, to inform our responses to modern democracy’s present peril. This approach to democracy’s tenuous circumstances through an exploration of the place of religion in society is laudable as is Mauldin’s hesitance to abandon the modern project too hastily. The appeal to history, and particularly a focus on the uniqueness of the historical moments experienced by Barth and Bonhoeffer as well as their respective responses both prove helpful for Mauldin’s argument for a theology of history. Where the review finds fault in Maudin's approach is the question of broad applicability of such a theological approach to history.
- Metadata:
- xml
- Published as:
- Online publication
- Status:
- Published
- Last Updated:
- 2 years ago
- License:
- All Rights Reserved
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mauldin-review.pdf