Germany is in the news as world leaders are in Hamburg to discuss the many issues facing our world. We go back to a time in German history right after the war to hear from someone who will end up providing profound insights to our believe in God and God’s Son Jesus Christ in living in a broken world with hope.
A young man who served in the army makes a change in his life to serve in a different way! It was Germany after World War II in a small village where we hear a young pastor share today’s Passages. Click on the audio file below to listen to Jürgen Moltmann tell about his first congregation …
Executive Producer/Host Dennis Benson, Associate Producers Bill Wolfe & Gregg Hartung (Interviewer Ron Wanless)
Jürgen Moltmann (born 8 April 1926) is a German Reformed theologian who is Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology at the University of Tübingen.[1] Moltmann is a major figure in modern theology and was the recipient of the 2000 University of Louisville and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Grawemeyer Award in Religion,[2] and was also selected to deliver the prestigious Gifford Lectures in 1984–85. He has made significant contributions to a number of areas of Christian theology, including systematic theology, eschatology, ecclesiology, political theology, Christology, pneumatology, and the theology of creation.
Influenced heavily by Karl Barth‘s theology, Hegel‘s philosophy of history, and Ernst Bloch‘s philosophy of hope, Moltmann developed his own form of liberation theology predicated on the view that God suffers with humanity, while also promising humanity a better future through the hope of the Resurrection, which he has labelled a ‘theology of hope’.[3] Much of Moltmann’s work has been to develop the implications of these ideas for various areas of theology. While much of Moltmann’s early work was critiqued by some as being non-Trinitarian, during the latter stages of his career Moltmann has become known for developing a form of social trinitarianism.[4] His two most famous works are Theology of Hope and The Crucified God.
Is there hope or despair in the theology of our congregations today?
Is the cup half full or half empty?
How does a theology that places limits on God limit us as people of God?
How is that when serving others the attention on our own problems become less important?
How do you serve?
