Simul sanctification

: Karl Barth's appropriation of Luther's dictum simul iustus et peccator

Abstract

‘Simul sanctification’ is a transformational program for sanctification derived from Karl Barth’s radical appropriation of Luther’s dictum simul iustus et peccator. Barth’s simul establishes the Christological link of the Second Adam with every human being. From this emerges what I contend is a ‘Chalcedonian anthropology’ built on a double-duality: the original Chalcedonian formulation gives rise to a second duality revealed within Christ’s one human person—the duality of a true, iustus humanity and a corrupt, peccator humanity. In order to appreciate the benefits regarding Barth’s Spirit-charged epistemological program for sanctification and conversion, it will be imperative to elucidate the comprehensive nature of Barth’s actualism as a way of establishing Barth’s view of humanity’s dynamic and free iustitia in Christ. Central to assessing the threat of the peccatum determination will be an examination of Barth’s theology of the cross, especially in regards to his single subject economy derived from the person of ‘Jesus Christ and him crucified.’ Through Barth’s assessment of the cross I exposit the similarities and the differences between Chalcedonian Christology and ‘Chalcedonian anthropology;’ the latter duality is proven by resurrection revelation to be ultimately provisional in nature. From here I probe Barth’s position regarding the annulment of the simul as well as its beginning. By investigating Barth’s doctrine of creation I argue that Barth’s simul is reflective of the original antithesis between God and nothingness, the darkness under which Christ first placed himself so that humans would know both his solidarity in the darkness and his victory over it. Christians continue to dwell in the overlap of the simul’s two mutually exclusive determinations, but by looking through Barth’s simul to our true, created and redeemed humanity in Christ we are equipped to interpret our lives and the world around us most hopefully.

Date of Award	21 Jun 2016
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of St Andrews
Supervisor	Alan James Torrance (Supervisor)