The resurrection : aspects of its changing role in 20th century theology
Abstract
This thesis deals with theologies of the Resurrection in the
twentieth century. We have chosen for study seven major theologians
whose work reflects significant achievement in this area. We begin
with a look at 'dialectical' theologians Karl Barth and Rudolf
Bultmann and deal with their debate on the nature and meaning of
the Resurrection. Because of their importance to theology they are
dealt with extensively. From there we move on to the contemporary
theologians of 'hope, ' Jürgen Moltmann and Wolfhart Pannenberg,
before completing our research with a chapter on the Catholic
theologians Karl Rahner, Edward Schillebeeckx, and Hans Küng.
It was our purpose initially (and we hope we have been consistent
throughout) to give a well-rounded purview, and thus a fairer criticism,
of each theology. Yet into the research it seemed obvious
that a consistent major concern of each theologian centered on
how one comes to faith in such a unique event. It was certainly
at the core of the Barth-Bultmann debate and remains crucial. Thus
it may be stated that the concerns which receive the primacy in this
work are those discussions in our theologies which deal with the
nature of the Resurrection, its status as an event of history, and
its ability to be proved and thus believed as other events of history
are proved and believed. We ultimately conclude that the most
satisfactory entry into faith in the Resurrection is through a juxtaposing
of the work of Wolfhart Pannenberg and Hans Küng.
The focus of the paper is changed in the second half of the
Conclusion as we suggest what course studies on the Resurrection
might take in the future. Here we find the perspective of Jewish
New Testament theologian Pinchas Lapide to be most provocative and
speculate on the possibilities that the Resurrection might hold
for Jewish-Christian relations.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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