Karl Barth and James Cone on Atonement: Ambiguity in Ontology and the Implications for Ethics

This paper interrogates critical divergence in interpreting the cross and atonement between James Cone Karl Barth – their related ethics. rejects theories embraces as an interpretative symbol that speaks to suffering of Black Americans. In contrast, resists a refuses interpret separately from atonement. These divergences lead different conceptions sin, salvation, ethical response. Despite dissimilarities, I argue demonstrate surprisingly similar kind ambiguity when it comes ontology ethics: blurs ontological Blackness symbolic while emphasizes divine manner makes difficult address material, post-colonial world. conclude, by demonstrating how these ambiguities both thinkers create challenges concrete addressing concerns, such reparations today’s