Die mens as sondaar - Die beskouing van Karl Barth

Abstract

Human being as sinner: The view of Karl Barth
Karl Barth’s view on the doctrine of evil, as reflected in KD IV/1(S 60), can be regarded as a critical correction of the theology of revolution and theology of liberation as a deviation from reformed theology - in so far as evil is no longer situated in the heart of human being, but in social, economical and political structures. In this view, people themselves are separated from sin as a quantity within themselves, instead of a quality of themseKfes. Consequently the sins of others are always the greatest. In contrast to this view, Barth argues that evil is not something in human being, but that human being himself/herself is a sinner, radically, totally and universally. In this article the focus is on Barth’s view concerning the knowledge and the real essence of sin. In an ensuing article the question whom the sinner is will be addressed.