Tile movement from exegesis to Dogmatics in the theology of Karl Earth, with special reference to Romans, Philippians and the church Dogmatics

Abstract

This thesis argues that there are two distinct procedures found in the Church Dogmatics. The first is a simple movement from exegesis of continuous passages to dogmatic theology, in which the theologian moves from what the text said and the author or redactor meant, to work out what is implied for dogmatic theology and to assess its significance. The second is a more complex movement from selected fragments of Scripture, exegeted separately, but grouped together as the basis upon which there can be movement into dogmatic theology. It is shown that the way in which these fragments are employed corresponds to the form in which they are found. The analysis of these two distinct procedures is found in chapters two and three respectively, where it is made clear that these arrangements form complementary components in Earth's dogmatic method. These chapters are the centre of the thesis, which are prefaced by an examination of the role of the historical critical method as the beginning of Earth's exegesis. Here it is demonstrated that Earth employs historical criticism wherever it is consistent with his theological purpose. The final chapter investigates the controls at work in Earth's method, which are shown to be a concern for the immediate context of a passage; a belief in the unity of Scripture, and a determination to see the central referential point of Scripture as Jesus Christ himself. Both the methods of research and the arrangement of this presentation have been devised to make plain the movement from exegesis to dogmatics in the theology of Karl Earth,