Top five countdown: Five
Well, it’s time for the “Top Five Countdown” to begin—this is a countdown of the five greatest achievements of modern theology. It’s not an easy choice; I myself am scandalised by the things that I have left out (to see five of the things I have left out, see Jim West’s response). But here we go:
In fifth place: Karl Barth’s doctrine of election. Barth’s doctrine of election is one of the most astounding achievements in the entire history of theology. It would be hard to imagine a more radical, more penetrating and more revolutionary reconstruction of any Christian doctrine. Barth’s doctrine of election has the potential to revolutionise Christian theology in the future, although I predict that it might take two or three centuries for theology to absorb and appropriate Barth’s insights here.
Good point, Anderson. Here's a very brief summary of my own.
The central thesis of Barth's doctrine of election is that Jesus Christ himself is both the subject and object of the decision of election -- he is the God who elects, and he is the elect human being. And for Barth, God's own eternal being is nothing other than this single decision.
I hope this helps!
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