Abstract

This volume is the translation of a work published originally in English by St Paul’s Publications, Alba House, in 1962 under the title: Karl Barth on God. The Knowledge of the Divine Existence. With a French reading public in mind the author himself made certain modifications in the text itself, and in the introduction presents briefly the different theories concerning the existence of God. The bibliography has been brought up to date. The author approaches the object of his enquiry with what may be called critical understanding. The work may well be regarded as one of the most satisfying on Barthian existential fideism. When treating the question of analogy Matczak has occasion to go into the scholastic and more especially the Thomistic teaching on the matter. With regard to our knowledge of God Thomas ever held that our knowledge of his existence is double. It may either be quasi innate and confused, and that is common to all men; or it may be formal and distinct. And this latter is not common to all men but proper to those ‘qui per Dei auxilium cum magno studio et labore a corporalibus ad spiritualia sublevantur’. With regard, however, to God’s nature St Thomas constantly maintained that, even under the light of faith, we rather know what he is not than what he really is. He even goes further and asserts categorically in this life God remains completely hidden to man, omnino ignotus. These Thomistic insights are missing from M’s study. And it may be submitted that they could be of help in attempting to enter into the Barthian fideist approach to God and his existence.