| Summary: | This dissertation focuses on the aspects of grace in the theologies of Karl Barth and Paul Tillich. Following the phenomenology of Jean-Luc Marion, the threads of both the iconic and the idolic will be investigated as to their influence in Barth’s exposition of the doctrine of the Covenant and Tillich’s development of the <i>Gestalt </i>of grace. A chronological approach will be taken, showing both the similarities and differences between Barth and Tillich and the theological developments in their lives. The phenomenological analysis of the <i>given, </i>will<i> </i>show that Barth and Tillich were nearer in concepts of grace then is often accounted, but it will also be demonstrated that they were not compatible on that which manifests itself as the <i>iconic. </i>The<i> </i>covenant, as espoused by Barth, will be seen not to have a sufficient iconic presence in comparison with Tillich’s <i>Gestalt </i>of grace symbolized by the cross. However, it will also be shown that Marion’s <i>eucharistic </i>symbology is not completely adequate as a corrective to either Barth or Tillich. The introductory chapter will state Marion’s thought on the “giveness” of the phenomenon of grace, both as concept and icon. Chapter 2 will focus on the theological and philosophical backgrounds of Barth and Tillich. In Chapter 3 and 4, the early careers of Barth and Tillich will be narrated and their early meetings recounted. In Chapter 5, Barth’s developing theology will be discussed, especially his shift from dialectical thought to an analogy of faith following his study of Anselm. Tillich’s career as a philosopher will be analyzed with special emphasis on his theological essays. Chapter 7 will focus on Barth’s early dogmatic thought leading up to his doctrine of election and the covenant. Tillich’s mature theology in his systematic writings of the fifties will be the topic of Chapter 8. The final notions of Barth’s doctrine of the covenant in the last two volumes of his dogmatics will reveal his theology of the cross, and his understandings of the secular parables of grace.
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