Karl Barth’s Critique of Deification

Abstract Barth’s criticism of deification is no stand-alone critique but the outcome of structural decisions integral to his mature theology. As such, his criticism says as much about his own theology as it does about his target. This chapter highlights three interrelated grounds of Barth’s criticism of deification: The first ground is Barth’s historicized Christology, aimed at differentiating divine and human actors in the covenant of grace. The second is Barth’s revised ontology, which, stemming from his doctrine of God, obviates the traditional substance ontology in which deification takes root. The third is Barth’s unconventional doctrine of sanctification, in which the far-reaching consequences of his previous decisions come into clearest focus: Barth rules out not merely deification, but its underlying presupposition that the Christian life necessarily yields visible transformation and growth into holiness.