Reader Response: Church Dogmatics ch VII (intro)

Chapter seven of Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics (which you will find in volume II/2, and which consists of sections 32 through 35) deals with the doctrine of election.  That's an inherently fascinating concept, and I'm keen to re-read it.  Those in the know about Barth will also be aware that this is one of the most original areas of his theology - he professes himself regrettably unable to follow the traditional explication of the doctrine.  It is also one of the most controversial areas of Barth reception.  I don't particularly intend to get into that here, but just to read through and jot down some of my reflections.

It's worth just taking a glance at the synopsis of contents for this chapter:

§32 - The problem of a correct doctrine of the election of grace

1. The orientation of the doctrine
2. The foundation of the doctrine
3. The place of the doctrine in dogmatics

§33 - The election of Jesus Christ

1. Jesus Christ, electing and elected
2. The eternal will of God in the election of Jesus Christ

§34 - The election of the community

1. Israel and the church
2. The judgement and the mercy of God
3. The promise of God heard and believed
4. The passing and the coming man

§35 - The election of the individual

1. Jesus Christ, the promise and its recipient
2. The elect and the rejected
3. The determination of the elect
4. The determination of the rejected

Sounds like fun, doesn't it?  I'm going to kick off with §32 part 1 next Monday.  Good times.