The Freedom of Christian Theology: New Studies in Dialogue with Eberhard Jngel

(Hardback)

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Eberhard Jngel (1934-2021) belongs to the most creative, wide-ranging, rigorous, and demanding voices in twentieth-century Protestant theology. Over a long and distinguished career, Jngel grappled with topics such as revelation, responsible talk about God, God's triunity, Christology, the nature of theological language, analogy, divine and human freedom, love, atheism, and theological approaches to the state. In all this, he had followed, perceptively yet critically, in the footsteps not only of Martin Luther, but also of G. W. F. Hegel, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Rudolf Bultmann, Martin Heidegger, and Karl Barth.
Despite the diversity of their own backgrounds and interests, the contributors to The Freedom of Christian Theology: New Studies in Dialogue with Eberhard Jngel all share the conviction that Jngels legacy lends itself to the same kind of constructive engagement that Jngel himself practiced. The essays offered here bring Jngels many-sided contributions to bear on the theological, philosophical, and social challenges of today. Each is an attempt to grapple, in the spirit of Eberhard Jngel, with the mysteries of todays world, which no less demand analytical care and penetrating insight. As an ongoing conversation with Jngel, the essays model the freedom and joy of Christian theology to reflect on the worlds complexities out of the riches of the Christian tradition.

Reviews

The theological works of Eberhard Jngel have never quite received the attention in English-language scholarship that their boldness, creativity, and insight deserve. In this volume, however, Malysz and Nelson begin to rectify this long-standing neglect, and set forth a compelling series of essays engaging his thought appreciatively yet critically. From justification to pneumatology, and from narrative to aesthetics, their contributors range widely and deeply over the themes present in Jngels diverse corpus, informing and illuminating in equal measure. This is a truly welcome collection, ideal both for seasoned Jngel devotees and those yet to enjoy his work. -- Paul T. Nimmo, University of Aberdeen
Eberhard Jngels theological writings have sometimes been more praised than read, more admired than used. The merit of the editors and contributors to this important volume lies in their engagement with Jngels thought. He is not put on a pedestal but comes to life as a theologian capable of stimulating debate about some of the most pressing questions arising from the Christian faith. The book offers a fine example of theology for the twenty-first century generated in conversation with a leading voice of the recent past. -- Johannes Zachhuber, Oxford University
Eberhard Jngel ranks among the most important German Protestant theologians of his generation. This volume demonstrates how relevant and stimulating his thinking remains. The authors explore a wide range of Jngels concerns, relate them to historic and contemporary theologies, and identify key questions for further investigation. Anyone seeking to understand the difference that Jngel does and should make for theology today will benefit from the serious scholarship represented here. -- John P. Burgess, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Author Bio

Piotr J. Malysz is associate professor of divinity at Samford Universitys Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama.

R. David Nelson is Director of Baylor University Press.