The two great strengths of Chris Swann's book are, first, his careful and detailed delineation of Barth's account of the call to discipleship and its pivotal role within his doctrine of sanctification, and the subsequent treatment of church and Christian life in Church Dogmatics IV/2. Second, his consistent focus on what was surely a central concern of Karl Barth throughout his career: the practical utility of theology for the life and proclamation of the Christian community. Swann displays with clarity and sensitivity the relevance of the call to discipleship for the church and the Christian vis-à-vis the world, avoiding the twin dangers of cultural accommodation and reactionary sectarianism. Faithful response to the present call and direction of the one Lord frees the believers for joyful openness to the world in missional self-giving, in correspondence to the way of Jesus himself in the world. This is a book not only for Barth scholars but pastors and others concerned with present life and witness of God's people in the world.

Michael O'Neil, Morling College, Australia

In this constructive study, Chris Swann identifies the theme of discipleship as the governing motif in Karl Barth's theology of sanctification. Swann carefully contrasts Barth's program with the Reformers' and develops his argument in close and critical interaction with Barth scholarship past and present.
Given the growing number of cursory accounts of discipleship, this study offers a much-needed corrective as Swann carefully probes the theological intricacies of discipleship and teases out their moral implications.
Theologically astute and pastorally sensitive, Chris Swann recovers the importance of Christian discipleship for church and academy today. This study will be of considerable value both to the Barth scholar and any reader seeking a more nuanced account of discipleship that is firmly rooted in the doctrine of sanctification.

Michael Bräutigam, Melbourne School of Theology/Australian College of Theology, Australia