Theology of Hope

Theology of Hope is a school of thought (some might think of it as a movement) that is part of the politically oriented theologies that emerged in the era of the Confessing Church, during the time that Adolf Hitler ruled in Germany.  Christians who protested against the Hitler regime reflected on the meaning of what it meant to be a Christian in the face of injustice and state-sponsored terrorism. Like pastors Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer,  both of whom led the church in prophetically denouncing Hitler and his policy of dehumanization, Jurgen Moltmann and Wolfhart Pannenberg spoke of hope in the midst of the despair that was enveloping Europe. Moltmann wrote his three books, Theology of Hope, The Crucified God, and The Church in the Power of the Spirit.

Theology of Hope focused on the Resurrection as the starting point for building up enthusiasm for the final moment in history (the eschaton).  Both Moltmann and Pannenberg were convinced that the atrocities being imposed on humanity through the Hitler regime would eventually come to an end like all other evils.  The Resurrection was the central point of hope, not only for the Jews living in Germany and other parts of Europe, but also for all of humanity who suffered from whatever their sufferings could be named.  The final moment of history should serve as an encouragement and inspiration to those who fought and struggled against an evil system.  Unlike another theology which would emerge later, and which will be the focus of my next essay on a series of theological schools (Liberation Theology) and used the sufferings of the Hebrews under Egyptian bondage and Babylonian captivity as a starting point for biblical interpretation and theological reflection, Theology of Hope focused more on the end of history. The central biblical motif was the Resurrection in that it represented life conquering over death.

I should note that Theology of Hope is  not a "pie in the sky by and by" type of thinking.  Neither is it a theology which merely speaks about "On the other side of Jordan."  It does not cater to the notion that we should sit with our hands crossed "waiting for Jesus to come."  Theology of Hope does not encourage passivity. If anything, it promotes the notion that the Church should immerse itself in the struggle for justice, not only on a national basis, but on a global basis as well.  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, in the Theology of Hope, is considered the driving force of the Church's political and social involvement, leading to transformation. Unlike Liberation Theology, Theology of Hope does not make as much use of critical and social analysis in order to initiate structural change.  Some might consider the "hope" in the Theology of Hope to be an "elusive" reality which is not manifested in the present moment, but rather as one that will emerge as a concrete reality in the not too distant future.  Theology of Hope finds signs of encouragement for the future "here and there," but does not hail any movement or accomplishment as the arrival of the kingdom of God

I invite and encourage you, the reader, to engage in the literature of the Theology of Hope, and to come up with your own evaluation.  I highly recommend acquaintance with Moltmann's book, The Crucified God, so that you can have a clearer idea of the central motifs of Theology of Hope. Please feel free to share your perspectives and views with us.

In the Name of the Creator, and of the Risen Lord, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Dr. Juan A. Ayala-Carmona