The abandonment of inauthentic humanity: Barth’s theology of baptism as the ground and goal of mission

Abstract

This article explores the development of Karl Barth’s theology of the sacraments, with specific reference to his evolving understanding of the function and ground of baptism. It is argued here that Barth’s late explication of baptism in the final fragment of Church Dogmatics IV/4 posits an inextricable link between the nature and purpose of baptism and the ground and goal of mission, as two inseparable acts of ethical obedience to the call and Word of God.