What is the difference between Barth's and Hick's views on atonement?

Barth sees atonement as God's sovereign act in Christ, where God takes on human sin and judgment, defeating sin and reconciling the world. Hick rejects this as morally problematic and instead argues that Jesus' death serves as a moral example that inspires humans to turn from selfishness to God. Barth's view is Christocentric and revelation-based; Hick's is pluralistic and reason-based.

Does Karl Barth believe in universal salvation?

Barth's position is complex. He famously said that we cannot deny the possibility of universal salvation, but he also refused to assert it dogmatically. He believed that in Christ, all humanity is elect, but he maintained that God's freedom means we cannot guarantee that all will be saved. This has led to debate among scholars about whether Barth was a universalist.

Why does John Hick reject penal substitution?

Hick argues that penal substitution portrays God as a wrathful deity who requires a blood sacrifice to forgive, which he finds morally repugnant. He also contends that it is inconsistent with the idea of a loving God. Instead, Hick advocates a moral influence theory, where Jesus' death demonstrates God's love and calls humans to respond in repentance and transformation.

How do Barth and Hick use the Bible to support their views?

Barth interprets the Bible as God's living Word, focusing on passages like Romans 3:21-26 and 2 Corinthians 5:19 to argue that God was in Christ reconciling the world. Hick, however, treats the Bible as a human document that reflects evolving religious ideas. He highlights Jesus' teachings on love and forgiveness (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount) and downplays sacrificial language, which he sees as culturally conditioned.

What are the main criticisms of Hick's atonement theory?

Critics argue that Hick's moral influence theory fails to address the depth of human sin and the need for divine intervention. It reduces the cross to a mere example, which some say undermines the uniqueness of Christ's work. Additionally, Hick's pluralism is challenged by those who insist on the finality of Christ for salvation.

How does Barth's view of atonement relate to his doctrine of election?

Barth's doctrine of election is central: in Christ, God chooses humanity for salvation. Atonement is the outworking of this election—God in Christ takes on the rejection that humans deserve, so that they may be elect. Thus, for Barth, atonement is not a response to human sin but the eternal decision of God to be for humanity.

Christianity – Works of scholars: Atonement theory; comparison of Karl Barth and John Hick

EDEXCEL

A-Level

A comparative study of the works of Karl Barth and John Hick regarding atonement theory, focusing on their contrasting theological perspectives on the death of Jesus, the nature of sin, and the implications for Christian doctrine and interfaith dialogue.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

This topic explores the Christian doctrine of atonement—how Jesus' death reconciles humanity with God. You will examine two major 20th-century theologians: Karl Barth, a Reformed Protestant, and John Hick, a liberal philosopher of religion. Their contrasting views illuminate key debates about the nature of sin, the work of Christ, and the scope of salvation. Understanding their arguments is essential for evaluating the coherence and relevance of atonement theory in modern theology.

Barth's approach is Christocentric and rooted in divine revelation. He argues that in Christ, God takes upon himself the judgment humanity deserves, thereby defeating sin and establishing a new covenant. Hick, by contrast, rejects penal substitution as morally problematic. He proposes a 'moral influence' or 'exemplarist' view, where Jesus' life and death inspire humans to turn from selfishness to God. Hick's theology is pluralistic, seeing Christ as one of many saviour figures.

This topic fits within the broader Edexcel A-Level theme of 'Christianity – Works of scholars'. It requires you to compare and evaluate different atonement models, assess their biblical and philosophical foundations, and consider their implications for Christian practice. Mastery of this content will enable you to write nuanced essays that demonstrate critical engagement with primary texts and secondary scholarship.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Penal substitution: The idea that Christ bore the punishment for sin in humanity's place, satisfying divine justice.
→Christus Victor: The view that Christ's death defeated the powers of evil, sin, and death, liberating humanity.
→Moral influence theory: The belief that Jesus' sacrificial love inspires humans to repent and follow God's will.
→Universal vs. particular atonement: Whether Christ's death saves all people (universalism) or only the elect (limited atonement).
→Revelation vs. reason: Barth's emphasis on God's self-revelation in Christ versus Hick's use of philosophical criteria to evaluate religious claims.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Analysis of Barth's 'The Judge Judged in Our Place' as a substitutionary model of atonement.
Understanding of Barth's Reformed context and traditional imagery of guilt, judgment, and forgiveness.
Analysis of Hick's view of Jesus as a moral exemplar rather than a divine sacrifice.
Understanding of Hick's interpretation of incarnation and resurrection as myth and metaphor.
Evaluation of the impact of Hick's ideas on interfaith dialogue.
Comparison of how both scholars address the problem of sin and human nature, particularly in the context of 20th-century atrocities.
Assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of both scholars' views for modern Christianity.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Analysis of Barth's 'The Judge Judged in Our Place' as a substitutionary model of atonement.
Understanding of Barth's Reformed context and traditional imagery of guilt, judgment, and forgiveness.
Analysis of Hick's view of Jesus as a moral exemplar rather than a divine sacrifice.
Understanding of Hick's interpretation of incarnation and resurrection as myth and metaphor.
Evaluation of the impact of Hick's ideas on interfaith dialogue.
Comparison of how both scholars address the problem of sin and human nature, particularly in the context of 20th-century atrocities.
Assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of both scholars' views for modern Christianity.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you explicitly compare the two scholars rather than writing two separate accounts.
💡Use the specific terminology associated with each scholar (e.g., 'Judge Judged in Our Place' for Barth; 'myth and metaphor' for Hick).
💡Focus on the 'why' behind their differences, linking back to their differing views on the nature of God and revelation.
💡Use the anthology extracts to support your analysis of their arguments.
💡Use precise theological terminology (e.g., 'penal substitution', 'Christus Victor', 'exemplarism') and define it clearly. This shows you understand the nuances of each model.
💡Compare and contrast explicitly. Don't just describe Barth then Hick—use linking phrases like 'In contrast to Barth, Hick argues...' or 'Both theologians agree that... but diverge on...'
💡Evaluate critically. For top marks, assess the strengths and weaknesses of each view. For example, does Hick's moral influence theory adequately address the problem of sin? Does Barth's reliance on revelation make his view immune to rational critique?

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing Barth's substitutionary model with general penal substitution without referencing his specific 'Judge Judged' terminology.
Misrepresenting Hick's view as purely secular rather than a reinterpretation of Christian doctrine through myth and metaphor.
Failing to link the scholars' views to their specific historical and theological contexts (Reformed tradition vs. 20th-century pluralism).
Neglecting to evaluate the impact of these theories on the broader Christian understanding of the Trinity and Incarnation.
Misconception: Barth and Hick both believe in universal salvation. Correction: Barth's universalism is debated—he suggests all are elect in Christ, but he does not guarantee salvation; Hick explicitly argues for universal salvation through multiple religious paths.
Misconception: Hick rejects the atonement entirely. Correction: Hick reinterprets it as a moral example, not a substitutionary sacrifice. He affirms Jesus' significance but denies that his death was a payment for sin.
Misconception: Barth's view is identical to traditional penal substitution. Correction: Barth reframes penal substitution within a Trinitarian context—God in Christ takes on the judgment, but Barth avoids the idea of an angry Father punishing an innocent Son.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic Christian beliefs about sin, salvation, and the person of Jesus Christ.
•Familiarity with the concept of atonement and key biblical passages (e.g., Isaiah 53, Romans 3:21-26, Mark 10:45).
•Understanding of the difference between conservative and liberal theology.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Analyse

Evaluate

Assess

Explore

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Christianity – Works of scholars: Atonement theory; comparison of Karl Barth and John Hick

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

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Topic Synopsis

Key Concepts & Core Principles

Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

Examiner Marking Points

Christianity – Works of scholars: Atonement theory; comparison of Karl Barth and John Hick

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Barth's and Hick's views on atonement?

Does Karl Barth believe in universal salvation?

Why does John Hick reject penal substitution?

How do Barth and Hick use the Bible to support their views?

What are the main criticisms of Hick's atonement theory?

How does Barth's view of atonement relate to his doctrine of election?

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Objective vs Subjective Atonement

Christocentrism

Theological Pluralism

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in EDEXCEL A-Level Religious Studies

A study of three ethical theories: Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, and Natural Moral Law

Application of ethical theories to issues of importance: War and peace, and Sexual ethics

Buddhism – Practices that shape and express religious identity: Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, and meditation

Buddhism – Religion and society: The interpretation and application of ahimsa in the modern world