Karl Barth's comic theology
Blogging here is a bit light at the moment. So instead of reading F&T, head over and check out the wonderful essay by Jessica DeCou of Chicago Divinity School: "'Too Dogmatic For Words'? Karl Barth's Comic Theology", Religion and Culture Web Forum February 2011. She argues that Barth's legendary combativeness and his legendary humour are two sides of the same coin: a "comic" theology. I think Eberhard Jüngel once described Barth as "the happiest theologian of our age" – and this essay shows that laughter and comedy are important for understanding Barth's thought.
And while you're at it, here's another interesting piece on Barth: John Parratta, "Barth and Buddhism in the Theology of Katsume Takizawa", SJT 64:2 (2011).
Jessica's essay is excellent! great insight into Barth for those like myself who are just getting familiarized with him.
Sorry for the anonymous thing, but I am in a hurry and I could not find my way around quickly enough. Just one thought: If someone, very different from your own theological clan, is remarkably happy, sunny, witty, but also combative - could it be that his or her theology has more to it than I might admit, even if he or she is proudly evangelical?
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