In re-reading some passages from Church Dogmatics IV.3.2, I came across the following passage:
It can, of course, be said of all organic and inorganic creation that secretly but very really it stands in the service of both God and man, and that it probably does so in its own way far more effectively and gloriously than the poor Christian community. Yet in the context of this great and comprehensive ministry of all creation the Christian community has its own specific function and service. In this context it is indeed distinguished to the extent that in it and in it alone is it a matter of the service of reconciliation, and this in the direct and concrete following of the prophetic work of the One in whom God has accomplished it. It is also distinguished to the extent that as such it does not take place secretly like that of the rest of creation, to be manifested in its reality only in and with the final revelation of Jesus Christ, but that even in its weakness and corruption, in anticipation of the disclosure of the secret of all creation, it is already revealed to be service of God and man here and now in time and space. [Emphasis mine.]
-CD IV3.2, 834.
It always astounds me when people say that Barth doesn’t take other religions seriously, or that he is dismissive of cultural or contextual realities confronting the Church. It will be a great day when Barth is read and then rejected for positions he actually held.