"The following efforts bear the title Theology of Hope, not because they set out once again to present eschatology as a separate doctrine and to compete with the well known textbooks. Rather, their aim is to show how theology can set out from hope and begin to consider its theme in an eschatological light. For this reason they inquire into the ground of the hope of Christian faith and into the responsible exercise of this hope in thought and action in the world today. The various critical discussions should not be understood as rejections and condemnations. They are necessary conversations on a common subject which is so rich that it demands continual new approaches."

Endorsements

"A stimulating and important book, a 'must' for every theological student and every preacher who wishes to become acquainted with the most significant movement in contemporary continental theology."

— Langdon Gilkey, The Christian Century

'With clear decisive strokes, Moltmann shows that for both Jews and Christians history is rooted in actual events and sets its sights on a real future in accordance with God's promises.... Hope is the other side of faith and more than anything else is the unique characteristic of Christianity.'

— Christianity Today

Table of Contents

Preface to the New Paperback Edition

Preface

Abbreviation

INTRODUCTION: MEDITATION ON HOPE

What is the 'Logos' of Christian Eschatology?

The Believing Hope

The Sin of Despair

Does Hope Cheat Man of the Happiness of the Present?

Hoping and Thinking

1. ESCHATOLOGY AND REVELATION

The Discovery of Eschatology and its Ineffectiveness

Promise and Revelation of God

Transcendental Eschatology

The Theology of the Transcendental Subjectivity of God

The Theology of the Transcendental Subjectivity of Man

'Progressive Revelation' and the Eschatology of Salvation History

'History' as Indirect Self-revelation of God

The Eschatology of Revelation

2. PROMISE AND HISTORY

Epiphany Religions and Faith in Terms of Promise

The Word of Promise

The Experience of History

Revelation and Knowledge of God

Promise and Law

Promise in the Eschatology of the Prophets

The Historifying of the Cosmos in Apocalyptic Eschatology

3. THE RESURRECTION AND THE FUTURE OF JESUS CHRIST

Gospel and Promise

The God of the Promise

Paul and Abraham

Fulfillment Ecstasy in Primitive Christianity and the eschatologia crucis

The 'Death of God' and the Resurrection of Christ

The Historical Question of the Resurrection of Christ and the Questionableness of the Historical Approach to History

The Approach of form-Criticism to the Easter Narratives and the Questionableness of its Existentialist Interpretation

The Eschatological Question as to the Future Horizon of the Proclaiming of the Risen Lord

The Identity of the Lord who Appears as risen with the Crucified Christ

The Future of Jesus Christ the Future of Righteousness

The Future of Life

The Future of the Kingdom of God and of the Freedom of Man

Summary and Review

4. ESCHATOLOGY AND HISTORY

Criticism and Crisis

The 'Solved Riddle of History'

The Historical Method

Historical Heuristics

Historiology Eschatology of History—Philosophic Millenarianism

Death and Guilt as Driving Forces of the Historical Outlook

The Peculiarity of the Historian's Universal Concepts

The Hermeneutics of Christian Mission

The Proofs of God and Hermeneutics Mission and Exposition

5. EXODUS CHURCH

Observations on the Eschatological

Understanding of Christianity in Modern Society

Modern Society and the Cult of the Absolute

Religion as the Cult of the New Subjectivity

Religion as the Cult of Co-humanity

Religion as the Cult of the Institution

Christianity within the Horizon of the Expectation of the Kingdom of God

The Calling of Christians in Society

Index of Names