Gunton, Colin E.  Becoming and Being: The Doctrine of God in Charles Hartshorne and Karl Barth.  Oxford:  Oxford University Press, 1978.

Abstract

This book presents an analysis and comparison of two influential modern approaches to the doctrine of God. Though they are in many respects diametrically opposed, the one finding its basis in biblical revelation and steeped in the tradition of trinitarian reflection, the other relying on pure speculative reason, there are numerous points of contact. Both owe central insights to the philosophical theology of Anselm, and in particular look to him for assistance in finding an objective grounding for theology. Both are also strongly opposed - on parallel lines rather than for the same reasons - to the classical conception of God that was the fruit of the Augustinian and medieval synthesis of aspects of Greek and Hebrew categories. Rejecting above all the view of God as timeless, they attempt to return to the roots of rational theology. Both wish to free theology from the intrusion of alien and contradictory elements. The author's contention is that Hartshorne's conceptuality has grave philosophical and theological difficulties. Not only does it represent a near pantheism, but its overall impact is not very different from the classical tradition it seeks to replace. In particular, it is radically unhistorical. There are aspects of Barth's theology where it, too, is in danger of collapsing into timelessness and contradiction, but at least his concept offers the possibility of a theology that is rational without being rationalist.