Revelation and the Spirit: A Comparative Study of the Relationship between the Doctrine of Revelation and Pneumatology in the Theology of Eberhard Jungel and of Wolfhart Pannenberg
Overview
The theme of this study is the relationship between the doctrine of revelation and pneumatology. How can we conceive of the relation between the self-revelation of God and our knowledge of that self-revelation? This is an important question given the postmodern abandonment of any normative understanding of truth and the mushrooming of alternative forms of "spirituality." The task of Christian mission in the context of popular pluralism raises the question of the relationship between truth and experience.
The focus of the work is a critical comparison between two contemporary Lutheran theologians, Wolfhart Pannenberg and Eberhard Jüngel. By contrasting these influential writers clear distinctions are drawn between an approach based on metaphor and metaphysic. Both approaches are deemed to be deficient in their construction and it is argued that some of these problems emerge from a common Lutheran heritage. It is further argued that Trinitarian pneumatology might be better advanced by giving greater weight to the concepts of participation and communion. In doing so, some contribution is made towards long-standing pneumatological questions, including the personhood of the Holy Spirit and the distinction between God as Spirit and the Holy Spirit.
This is an invaluable resource for academics, students and theologically engaged ministers alike.
—Alan J. Torrance, Chair of Systematic Theology, St Mary's College, University of St Andrews, ScotlandE
Both Pannenberg's and Jüngel's theologies pose a considerable challenge for the theological enquirer. Graham Watts has done a great service as with lucidity and facility he clarifies the thinking of these two contemporary theologians, displays the significance of their respective theological work and enables readers to benefit from their profound theological insight. This is a skillful and coherent piece of work which will add to more general theological appreciation of their contribution and will enrich many.
—Nigel G. Wright, Principal, Spurgeon's College, London, UK
Graham Watts has provided a useful service to the theological readership by giving us this careful, critical and comparative study of Jüngel and Pannenberg, focused on the doctrines of revelation and the Spirit. Drawing on the important contemporary critics, notably Jenson, Dalferth, Schwoebel, Torrance and Gunton, he teases out some interesting interpretative insights and gives readers helpful and accurate exposition in so doing.
—Timothy Bradshaw, Regent's Park College, Oxford, UK
- Title: Revelation and the Spirit: A Comparative Study of the Relationship between the Doctrine of Revelation and Pneumatology in the Theology of Eberhard Jungel and of Wolfhart Pannenberg
- Author: Graham J. Watts
- Series: Theological Studies Collection
- Publisher: Paternoster Press
- Publication Date: 1998
- Pages: 232