The Critically Realistic Dialectical Theology of Karl Barth: Response to Dr. Chiu

The Critically Realistic Dialectical Theology of Karl Barth: Response to Dr. Chiu

OU Li-jen

In reading the review to which Dr. Chiu has devoted more than 6,000 words, I have no doubt that Dr. Chiu has shown a careful reading of my book. Although having occasional positive comments about my book, Dr. Chiu's overall evaluation of it is rather negative. Basically in the discussion below I will: (1) respond respectively to what Dr. Chiu has raised regarding my book's “problems” and “contradictions”; (2) argue against Dr. Chiu's sympathy with recent postmodern or non-foundationalist interpretation of Barth.

I will show in this response that the alleged “problems” and “contradictions” in my book actually come from the reviewer's misreading. I will also argue for my position that Barth is a methodologically or formally non-foundationalist but is by no means materially; therefore it is extremely inadequate to label Barth “a postmodern theologian”.