
The Theology of Conversion
Conceiving the Christian Life With and Beyond Karl Barth
Tom Dove(Author)
T.& T.Clark Ltd (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 17. September 2026
Book
Hardback
228 pages
978-0-567-72912-5 (ISBN)
Description
Reclaims the theology of Christian conversion by integrating Karl Barth's doctrine of conversion within a constructive theological framework.
This book delivers a doctrinally rich account of Christian conversion that challenges reductive, experience-based approaches. Drawing from Scripture and Barth's Church Dogmatics, Tom Dove introduces a fourfold framework that defines conversion as inseparably connected to Christ's person and work, purposive, a divine event, and integrated with the Christian life.
He develops this framework through engaging with Barth's doctrines of election, reconciliation, calling, baptism with the Holy Spirit, and creation. Subsequently, Dove constructively extends Barth's theology to show how the Holy Spirit's activity across Christ's history provides the basis for connecting conversion and the Christian life.
By magnifying the work of Christ and the Spirit, this study offers a holistic theological vision that integrates conversion with the reality of Christian existence.
This book delivers a doctrinally rich account of Christian conversion that challenges reductive, experience-based approaches. Drawing from Scripture and Barth's Church Dogmatics, Tom Dove introduces a fourfold framework that defines conversion as inseparably connected to Christ's person and work, purposive, a divine event, and integrated with the Christian life.
He develops this framework through engaging with Barth's doctrines of election, reconciliation, calling, baptism with the Holy Spirit, and creation. Subsequently, Dove constructively extends Barth's theology to show how the Holy Spirit's activity across Christ's history provides the basis for connecting conversion and the Christian life.
By magnifying the work of Christ and the Spirit, this study offers a holistic theological vision that integrates conversion with the reality of Christian existence.
Reviews / Votes
Dove provides a profound and incisive account of Christian conversion, thinking both with and beyond Karl Barth. He grounds conversion not in the capricious patterns of human experience but in Christ's prophetic work and steadfast commitment to humanity. With an impressive command of Barth's theology, he also advances a compelling argument for how we should think theologically about assurance and responsibility. In so doing, Dove offers the academy and the church a constructive path for renewed reflection on grace and the transformation it brings. * Andrew Torrance, University of St Andrews, UK * What is the theological significance of the experience of 'conversion'? That question becomes all the more pressing when seen in the light of Karl Barth's Christological 'objectivism' (based firmly on 1 Cor. 1:30). Is 'conversion' the moment in which I was 'saved', or is it to be understood, with Barth, as an awakening to faith in a work of Christ already effective 'for me' in Christ's death and resurrection? Tom Dove's study of Karl Barth's theology of conversion takes us deeply into those questions and demonstrates the biblical foundation of Barth's much-discussed 'Christocentrism'. Dove's work makes an important contribution to our understanding of Barth's soteriology. * Bruce McCormack, University of Aberdeen, UK * In this profound work, Tom Dove engages with the theology of conversion, a locus of Christian doctrine that has been desperately marginalised yet bears signal importance in this post-Christendom era of mission. By way of careful tracking of the contours of Christian Scripture and critical dialogue with the theology of Karl Barth, Dove offers a holistic vision of Christian conversion that overcomes the deficiencies and distortions of unreflected popular accounts. The result is a compelling dogmatic account that grounds Christian conversion in the work of the Son and the Spirit, and challenges Christian theologians to think further on this crucial theme. * Paul T Nimmo, University of Aberdeen, UK *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Laminated cover
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-567-72912-5 (9780567729125)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
approx. 08/2026
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€94.49
Available for download

E-Book
approx. 08/2026
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€94.49
Available for download
Person
Tom Dove has a PhD in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen, UK, having previously trained as a Hospital physician.
Content
Introduction
Part I - With Barth
1. Conversion in Christ
2. The Call of Christ to Christians
3. Baptism with the Holy Spirit
4. Conversion and the Human Creature
Part II - Beyond Barth
5. The Spirit of the Christian life
6. Conversion and the Christian Life
Bibliography
Index
Part I - With Barth
1. Conversion in Christ
2. The Call of Christ to Christians
3. Baptism with the Holy Spirit
4. Conversion and the Human Creature
Part II - Beyond Barth
5. The Spirit of the Christian life
6. Conversion and the Christian Life
Bibliography
Index