Franz Rosenzweig’s Attitude towards the Law and the Mitzvah The Binding of Isaac as a Psychotheological Case Study

Abstract

My article has three parts. The first recalls central ideas of Luther's definition of the relationship between law and gospel. The second remembers Barth's criticisms of this position. The third examines the relevance of this discussion for contemporary debates on dogmatics and ethics. My paper aims to show that Luther's idea of mediation and concept of an answering theology must still be taken seriously today, despite all the criticism by Karl Barth. The central thesis is that the strength of Luther's position lies in the fact that Luther does not presuppose the Christian understanding of reality as an immediate certainty.