I’m preparing a sermon for this coming weekend on Romans 8 (part of our summer preaching series at CrossWalk). That led me to the Karl Barth Digital Library, a fantastic resource if you can gain access. I came across this paragraph on the Word that challenges the world, nothing like one of the greatest theologians of the last century putting things in perspective:
Wittingly or unwittingly, as a theologian he has exposed himself to this Word. He, at any rate, cannot possibly hide from himself the fact that this Word is directed precisely to his own world. This Word concerns mankind in all times and places, the theologian in his own time and place, and the world in its occupation with the routine Problems of the everyday. This Word challenges the world in which X, Y, and Z appear-with their own big words-to have the say and to determine the lot of all men and things as well as the lot of theologians. While the theologian reads the newspaper, he cannot forget that he has just read Isaiah 40 or John 1 or Romans 8. He, at any rate, cannot suppress the knowledge that the Word of God speaks not only of an infinitely deeper need but also of an infinitely higher promise than the sum total of all the needs and promises characteristic of his time and place. He cannot suppress his awareness that Continue reading 'The Word that Challenges the World'»
Trinity by Andrei Rublev, 1425-1427
Earlier this week I posted the first part of my reflections from the 2009 Emergent Theological Conversation with Jürgen Moltmann in Libertyville, IL. Here’s the second part:
On Doing Theology:
1. “Truth is found in unhindered dialogue.”
According to Moltmann, Karl Barth wasn’t good at dialogue with people who didn’t share his presuppositions. The professor saw this as a weakness in Barth’s theology. Instead, Moltmann tried to develop his theology through dialogue with people on the outside. We are not just doing theology for Christians, we are doing theology for everyone, he told us (I’m paraphrasing). I wonder, how open I am to “unhindered” dialogue as a pastor? Where are my theological conversations taking place? Who am I in dialogue with right now? Am I always talking to people who think like me?
Continue reading 'My Moltmann Reflections, Pt. 2'»
Professor Jürgen Moltmannn visited Garett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. prior to our conversation with him last week. The seminary has several videos you can watch of Moltmann, including his sermon, A Theology for Life, a Life for Theology. Note: I wish I’d thought of that title!
Tony Jones talks with Professor Jürgen Moltman
I thought I’d share some reflections from the 2009 Emergent Theological Conversation with Jürgen Moltmann last week—one of the best Emergent gatherings I’ve attended. Props to JoPa Productions and the First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville, IL., for making this happen. Our two days with Professor Moltmann gave me a deeper appreciation for this man … and he made me proud of my German heritage too!
Our time with the professor was sweet, as was the time we had in conversation with others. I made some new friends, also found some new friends to follow on Twitter. Speaking of Twittering, I thoroughly enjoyed the Moltmann Twub that was set up to micro-blog the event. You can still go back and read through all the Twubs, but I thought I’d take a few posts to share some of my favorite Moltmann Tweets and my own thoughts from the conversation. So here it goes …
Continue reading 'My Moltmann Reflections, Pt. 1'»
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