In this article, I address the question of the relevance of Karl Barth’s theology within the specific context of Eastern European realities. The work highlights the significance of Barth’s theology in two key areas: its sharp critique of ideology and its role as a theology for the church.
I argue that while Barth’s theology may initially appear to be a mono-referential system, this accusation is untenable. According to Barth, there can be no absolute center apart from God, who is Himself the Holy Trinity and is thus in continuous motion. In this regard, the doctrine of perichoresis holds particular importance in Barth’s theology, as it precludes rigid concepts. The God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit cannot be confined by inflexible frameworks but instead invites dynamic and tolerant thinking.
Additionally, Barth’s theology is deeply rooted in the life of the congregation. This is evident in what I articulated in the article as follows: «In my opinion, Barthian theology is a theology of the congregations in the sense that it seeks to assist ministers in their theological work. One does not necessarily have to be a theologian of the Word of God in Barth’s precise sense to realize that Christian theology cannot exist without certain foundational elements, unless it wishes to become negative theology or surrender its very essence. A theology that operates within vague generalities, Barth reminds us, lacks the transformative power to impact society meaningfully, let alone fulfill its divine mandate. Developing a practical theology grounded in Barthian principles proved to be a challenging, and at times even unimaginable, task for many theologians. To correctly interpret Barth’s theology, we must avoid restrictive schemes and recognize its persistent effort to reformulate Christian doctrines.»In summary, I propose the following: «To properly understand Barth’s theology, we must recognize it as a dynamic stream of thought. Barth’s theology—critically engaged with ideologies and resistant to centralization—provides a solid foundation for theological work and the Christian lifestyle. Barthian theology reminds us that theology operates with its own concept of reality and a corresponding scientific framework. While interdisciplinary methods are desirable, the communication of theological disciplines must remain a priority. Barth’s theology highlights the need for a theology that benefits the congregation, offering guidance not only to theologians but also to every member of the community. Barthian theology, far from being an immovable monument, is a path—a continuous, repeated attempt to comprehend the reality of the world. In this sense, Barth’s theology invites Reformed theologians to think critically, collaborate thoughtfully, and, most importantly, think independently.»
