On meeting the Kingdom that comes: Karl Barth's theology of revolt in The Christian Life

This paper considers the dogmatic presuppositions that underpin Barth's commendation of "revolt." It reckons with the claim that the fulfillment of the covenant of grace does not mean the closure of that same covenant; it pays particular attention to "revolt" as a key element of an eschatological ethic that views disruptive political activity as integral to Christians' obligation to move forward to meet the coming Kingdom of God. This eschatological ethic, the paper suggests, is not merely consonant with the "moral ontology" of the Dogmatics. It expands Barth's ethical program in the context of the doctrine of reconciliation (and, by anticipation, redemption); and it does so in ways that disclose common ground between Barth and earlier advocates of the "social gospel.” In its conclusion, the paper notes that Barth's insistence that Christians become "comrades of the Kingdom" has acute contemporary significance in contexts beset by far-right extremism.