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Rating: 
Summary: Moltmann Does It Again
Review: Moltmann's recent contribution to christology is a must read for serious students of modern Protestant thought, or for anyone of an intellectual bent who wants to understand the meaning of Jesus Christ. Moltmann's messianic vision of Jesus is particularly powerful, cogent, and supremely relevant in today's world. In fact, it is hard to see how any other christology around today (that I know of) could do such a good job of balancing tradition with contemporary issues. Moltmann presents both the problems and the strengths of older christologies, and goes on to build his own conception. Particularly notable with respect to the latter are sections 2,4,7, and 8 in part III. What struck me here was Moltmann's portrayal of the Jewishness of Jesus. His interpretation of the suffering and death of Jesus is also rich and fascinating, particularly his conception of the eucharist as a uniquely Christian experience of time. Moltmann also takes on the real foundation of christology, i.e. the resurrection, with typical erudition and insight. His articulation of the historical meaning involved in this event should interest not only theologians, but also philosophers of history. By far the most ambitious section of the book comes in section VI, where Moltmann tries to reconcile the cosmic vision of Colossians and Ephesians with the Paul's futurist eschatology. Whether or not we all agree with the outcome of this attempt, it makes for incredibly interesting reading. As always, Moltmann is at his best when the issue is eschatology, and his concluding discussion of the parousia is no exception. In short, this book presents an articulate alternative to the metaphysical christologies of ages past and to the dessicated naturalism of 19th and 20th century liberal theology. As always, age-old dogmas and forgotten concepts come alive in Moltmann's able hands.
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