Lesson 5 - Neo-Orthodoxy Reaction to Liberalism

Question 1

What are the characteristics of Neo-Orthodoxy?

Answer 1

1. ) Rejection of liberalism as a compromise with the world
2. ) Return to divine revelation over human experience
3. ) Return to divine grace over moralism
4. ) Respect for Christian creeds, tradition, etc.
5. ) Emphasizes radical otherness of God over against immanence
6. ) Relatively conservative view of Scripture

Question 2

What was Barth’s primary criticism of liberalism?

Answer 2

Divine revelation should never be subjected to cultural accommodation
– Essence of liberalism = to accommodate Christianity to the culture

Question 3

Discuss Barth’s distinction between Historie and Geschichte.

Answer 3

1. ) Historie – empirical, objective, factual history (what historians study)
2. ) Geschichte – events understood in their full Christological significance
   - - How everything is related to Christ
   - - Fuller meaning of history
   - - God reveals himself in Geschichte not in historie
   - - Events of Salvation only occur in Geschichte not in historie

Question 4

What was Brunner’s concept of revelation?

Answer 4

1. ) Revelation occurs as non-propositional divine human encounter
   - - Incarnation of God in Christ
   - - Internal witness of the Holy Spirit
2. ) Scripture is not divine revelation
   - - Scripture is not verbally inspired, inerrant, ultimate authority
   - - Personal encounter with god