Juergen Moltmann - Böcker

Juergen Moltmann reflects on theology and ecology.

This collection of provocative essays by one of the twentieth century's most distinguished theologians deals with topics as diverse as the right to work, nuclear war, the Olympic Games, and Judaism and Christianity—all within the framework of human rights. Jurgen Moltmann believes that the dignity of the human being is the source of all human rights; if this dignity is not acknowledged and exercised, human beings cannot fulfil their destiny of living as the image of God.In the first part, 'Human Rights', Moltmann urges Christians not to abandon the discussion of and the fight for human rights, but instead tore-examine human rights against a background of suffering and struggle. Part Two, 'Responsibility for the World and Christian Discipleship', considers Luther's doctrine of two kingdoms and Barth's doctrine of the lordship of Christ with respect to contemporary ethical and political decisions. Part Three, 'Christian Criticism of Religion' begins with a masterly analysis of religion and culture in Europe and then goes on to a theological critique of the American dream.

'His main contention is that we need a much greater emphasis on the place of the congregation in church life and worship. The church should be of rather than for the people; its true life coming 'from below' rather than 'from above' through bishop. priest, pastor or theologian. The local church must be a caring, accepting, open community, encouraging full participation by its people in every part of its worship... A short notice cannot do justice to this stimulating and thought-provoking book, which should be read by anyone concerned to see some way of breaking through what Moltmann sees as the lapse of modern society — including the church — into apathy' (Expository Times).'I would like to see The Open Church used as a basis for discussions in parish and student groups. Clearly and simply written and yet with deep biblical insights, it could do much to help us to see the shortcomings of our congregational life and also to appreciate the immense riches which are already to be found there' (The Bishop of Manchester in The Christian Statesman).

A collection of Juergen Moltmann's sermons on the themes of power and powerlessness.

Bosnia / Smail Balic? -- Africa / Patrick D. Gaffney -- Women in Islam and Christianity / Riffat Hassan -- Indonesia / Judo Poerwowidagdo -- Islam, the one and the many / John Renard -- The threat of Islam / John L. Esposito - Is Islam threatened by Christianity? / Mohammed Arkoun -- Tawhi?d / V.J. Cornell -- The challenge of Islamic monotheism / A. Gonza?lez Montes -- Human rights in Islam / Mahmud Gamal-ad-din -- The 1981 'Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights' / Heiner Bielefeldt -- Is Islamic revelation an abrogation of Judaeo-Christian revelation? / Abdulaziz Sachedina -- Christianity - challenged by Islam / Gerhard Bo?wering - The abrogation of Judaism and Christianity in Islam / Jane Dammen McAuliffe -- World peace - world religions - world ethic / Hans Ku?ng.

In this provocative study, Dr Moltmann develops his interest in political theology with particular reference to the questions of liberation, joy and the glory of God. How, he asks, can we laugh and rejoice when there are still so many tears to be wiped away and when new tears are being added every day? He cites the recent musical Fiddler on the Roof. Are the Jewish congregation here singing just to forget, or is there really such a thing as freedom in the midst of slavery, joy in the midst of suffering ? The rest of his extended essay investigates the possibility that in playing we can anticipate our liberation and with laughter rid ourselves of the bonds which alienate us from real life. David Jenkins, who writes an extended introduction and comment, takes up two points from Dr Moltmann's work. Moltmann argues that instead of using God to enjoy the world, men can now use the world to enjoy God. Furthermore, this development liberates the concept of 'God' to become what it really is, free and sovereign, instead of an idea enmeshed in our own plans and purposes.