Revisiting Moltmann’s Theology of Hope in the light of its renewed impact on emergent theology Noel B. Woodbridge1 Moltmann J 2009. Theology of hope: on the ground and the implications of Christian eschatology. Translated from German by J Leitch. Minneapolis: Ausgburg Fortress. 1. Introduction to the book and the author The most influential work by Jürgen Moltmann is his book, Theology of Hope, first published in English in 1967. Amid the optimism and turmoil of the 1960s, this book by a little-known German theologian burst upon the scene. Not only did Jürgen Moltmann’s Theology of Hope reintroduce the doctrine of Christian hope in academic theological discussion, but it also thrust its author to worldwide renown. Theology of Hope seized the attention of the public as well as theologians. It was even acclaimed in a front-page article in The New York Times: ‘God Is Dead Doctrine Losing Ground to “Theology of Hope”’, announced the headline. Clearly, Moltmann’s vision of hope connected with the spirit of the times. More than forty years later, in a world that has changed in so many different ways, the impact of Theology of Hope continues to be felt. This book is unquestionably one of the most important books in recent Protestant theology. It has already created a considerable stir in Europe, and is now rapidly gaining recognition throughout the world as the major statement to date of a new eschatological theology which emphasises the critical and revolutionising effect of Christian hope upon the thought, institutions, and conditions of life today. This book is taught in universities and seminaries throughout the world, and its ideas have dramatically shaped our understanding of eschatology, one of the most important Christian doctrines.
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Noel Woodbridge (noel@sats.edu.za) holds a DEd from the University of South Africa and a DTh from the University of Zululand. He currently serves as a senior academic at the South African Theological Seminary. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the beliefs of the South African Theological Seminary.
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