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Challenging recent rejections of Hans Urs von Bathasar's groundbreaking study of Karl Barth's theology, Stephen Long argues that these interpretors are shortshightedly impatient with the nuances of Bathasar's reading of Barth and fail to appreciate the longstanding theological friendship that endured. Even more, current readings threaten a return of the embattled divide hallmarking Protestant-Catholic relations prior to Vatican II. Long contends against these contemporary trajectories in a substantial defense of Balthasar's theological preoccupation with Barth's thought. 

This book offers one of the first few contextualizations of the friendship that developed between Balthazar and Barth, which lasted from the 1930s until Barth's death in 1968 and Balthazar's passing in the 1980s. Re-evaluating Balthazar's theological work on Barth, the present volume provides a critical new reading of not only Balthazar's original volume but with a wider account of the systematic engagement Balthazar carried on throughout his career. Within this, a paradigm for fruitful, generous ecumenical dialogue emerges.