DESCRIPTION: This doctoral seminar (open to a maximum of five advanced master's level students) studies the constructive theology of Jürgen Moltmann in the context of contemporary theology at the international and ecumenical levels.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated their ability to (1) understand key ideas of Moltmann's creative program in its contemporary theological location; (2) analyze critically his key contributions and challenges; (3) reflect on his evolving theological method; and (4) engage the critical dialogue between Moltmann and his critics.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Studying Moltmann's main works is a great way not only to understand more thoroughly the theology of a leading international theologian but also learn more about key themes, debates, and issues in contemporary constructive theology.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet once a week for a three-hour session of theological discussion and reflection facilitated by students and occasional guest presenters.

REQUIRED READING:

Primary works by J. Moltmann:

Theology of Hope: On the Ground and the Implications of a Christian Eschatology. SCM Press, 1967.

The Crucified God: The Cross of Christ as the Foundation and Criticism of Christian Theology. SCM Press, 1974.

The Church in the Power of the Spirit: A Contribution to Messianic Ecclesiology. SCM Press, 1977.

The Trinity and the Kingdom: The Doctrine of God. Harper & Row, 1981.

God in Creation: A New Theology of Creation and the Spirit of God. SCM Press, 1985/Fortress, 1993.

The Way of Jesus Christ: Christology in Messianic Dimensions. SCM Press, 1990/Fortress, 1993.

The Spirit of Life: A Universal Affirmation. Fortress, 1992.

The Coming of God: Christian Eschatology. Fortress, 1996.

Experiences in Theology: Ways and Forms of Christian Theology. Fortress, 2000.

Müller-Fahrenholz, G. The Kingdom and the Power: The Theology of Jürgen Moltmann. Fortress, 2001.

Althouse, P. Spirit of the Last Days: Pentecostal Eschatology in Conversation with Moltmann. T&T Clark, 2004.

Bauckham, R. ed. God Will Be All in All: The Eschatology of Jürgen Moltmann. T&T Clark, 1999.

Bouma-Prediger, S. The Greening of Theology: The Ecological Models of Rosemary Radford Ruether, Joseph Sittler, and Jürgen Moltmann. Scholars Press, 1995.

Gilbertson, M. God and History in the Book of Revelation: New Testament Studies in Dialogue with Pannenberg and Moltmann. Cambridge University Press, 2005.

McDougall, S.A. The Pilgrimage of Love: Moltmann on the Trinity & Christian Life. AAR Books, 2005.

Volf, M., et al., eds. The Future of Theology: Essays in Honor of Jürgen Moltmann. Eerdmans, 1996.

Wakefield, J. L. Moltmann: A Research Bibliography. Scarecrow Press, 2002.

Watson, H. M. Towards a Relevant Christology in India Today: An Appraisal of the Christologies of John Hick, Jürgen Moltmann and Jon Sobrino. Peter Lang, 2002.