The Swiss Reformed Theologian Emil Brunner was one of the key figures in
the early 20th century theological movement of Dialectical Theology.
In this monograph David Gilland offers an account of Bruner's earlier theology in
relation to one of the central themes of the Protestant Reformation: Law and Gospel.He examines Brunner's early relationship with
fellow Swiss Reformed theologian, Karl Barth and provides a detailed reading of
a variety of Brunner's essays from the early to mid-1920s, centering on
Brunner's efforts to use the Law-Gospel relationship to establish a basis for Christian
theology. After analyzing the influence this has on Brunner's theological
method, Gilland examines Brunner's earliest text on Christology, The Mediator (1927).In light of the preceding analysis, the Fourth
Chapter provides a careful reading of Brunner's controversial polemic against
Karl Barth, Nature and Grace (1934).The monograph concludes with reflections on
Brunner's earlier theological work and his turbulent relationship with Karl
Barth.
