crisis theology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Theological
Quick answer
What does “crisis theology” mean?
A school of 20th-century Christian theology (associated with Karl Barth and others) that emphasizes the absolute qualitative difference and infinite distance between God and humanity, rejecting liberal theology's optimism about human ability to know God. The 'crisis' refers to God's judgment on all human attempts at self-justification and religious achievement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A school of 20th-century Christian theology (associated with Karl Barth and others) that emphasizes the absolute qualitative difference and infinite distance between God and humanity, rejecting liberal theology's optimism about human ability to know God. The 'crisis' refers to God's judgment on all human attempts at self-justification and religious achievement.
In broader usage, the term can refer to any theological approach that emerges from or responds to a perceived cultural, intellectual, or social crisis, where traditional religious understandings are seen as inadequate or under radical critique.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. The term is used identically in theological academia in both regions.
Connotations
In both varieties, it is a highly specialised historical/theological term with no everyday usage.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; confined to academic religious studies, theology departments, and historical discussions of 20th-century thought.
Grammar
How to Use “crisis theology” in a Sentence
Crisis theology emerged [in response to PREP historical event].Crisis theology is [often associated with NPROP Karl Barth].Scholars [characterize NPROP movement] as crisis theology.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crisis theology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Theologians sought to *theologise* from within the crisis of meaning.
- His work *crisisises* (non-standard, illustrative) the human condition before God.
American English
- The movement aimed to *theologize* in light of cultural collapse.
- Barth's commentary *crisisizes* (non-standard, illustrative) every human assertion.
adverb
British English
- He argued *crisis-theologically* against liberal assumptions.
- The message was presented *in a crisis-theology manner*.
American English
- They interpreted the scripture *crisis-theologically*, emphasizing God's judgment.
- The group thought *along crisis-theology lines*.
adjective
British English
- The Barthian position was deeply *crisis-theological* in orientation.
- He adopted a *crisis-oriented* theological framework.
American English
- Her dissertation focused on *crisis-theological* motifs.
- It was a *crisis-driven* theological response.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in religious studies, theology, and history of ideas. E.g., 'The seminar examined the roots of Crisis Theology in the aftermath of the First World War.'
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be misunderstood as referring to personal emotional crisis management from a religious perspective.
Technical
Specific technical term within Christian theology and the history of modern religious thought.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crisis theology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crisis theology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crisis theology”
- Using it to describe a personal 'crisis of faith'.
- Confusing it with 'liberation theology' or other contextually-driven theologies.
- Treating 'crisis' as an adjective modifying 'theology' (e.g., 'a crisis theology') rather than as part of a proper noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related and often overlap. 'Crisis Theology' specifically emphasizes the moment of judgment/revelation, while 'Neo-orthodoxy' is a broader term for the 20th-century return to Reformation themes. Karl Barth is a key figure for both.
No. In academic and precise usage, it refers to a specific historical movement. Using it for personal experience would be incorrect and confusing.
The intellectual and cultural shock of the First World War (1914-1918), which shattered the optimistic belief in human progress that had underpinned much 19th-century liberal theology.
The Swiss theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968), particularly through his seminal commentary 'The Epistle to the Romans' (1919, rev. 1922).
A school of 20th-century Christian theology (associated with Karl Barth and others) that emphasizes the absolute qualitative difference and infinite distance between God and humanity, rejecting liberal theology's optimism about human ability to know God. The 'crisis' refers to God's judgment on all human attempts at self-justification and religious achievement.
Crisis theology is usually academic, theological in register.
Crisis theology: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkraɪsɪs θiˈɒlədʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkraɪsɪs θiˈɑːlədʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a theology of crisis”
- “in a state of theological crisis”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a historical CRISIS (World War I) causing a theological JUDGMENT (krisis) on optimistic human-centred religion, leading to a new THEOLOGY focused on God's total difference.
Conceptual Metaphor
THEOLOGY IS A TURNING POINT / THEOLOGY IS A VERDICT. The movement conceptualizes the divine-human encounter as a moment of decisive judgment (crisis) that turns thinking away from human projects.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'crisis' in the term 'Crisis Theology'?