Conversational Theology: Essays on Ecumenical, Postliberal, and Political Themes, with Special Reference to Karl Barth

Description

The essays in this wide-ranging collection fall into three main sections: Ecumenical Theology, Postliberal Theology, and Political Theology. The first section deals with Torrance and Barth on the Sacraments. Hunsinger includes here an examination of Torrance's views of baptism and the eucharist, as well as Karl Barth's voice on the Lord's Supper. He also develops a post-Barthian appreciation of Jews and Judaism. In the second section Hunsinger discusses such figures as Hans W. Frei, Ernst Troeltsch and H.R. Niebuhr in terms of their contribution to Postliberal Theology. The final section offers a discussion of Political Theology, as part of which Hunsinger presents an in-depth analysis regarding the political views of Karl Barth, as well as Barth's understanding of human rights. The book ends with a meditation on Andre Trocme and how goodness happened at Le Chambon.

George Hunsinger is Princeton Theological Seminary's Hazel Thompson McCord Professor of Systematic Theology, USA.

This volume draws together in one place several previously published essays by Princeton theologian George Hunsinger, showing the scope and depth of his recent work. As he explores such apparently varied topics as the Eucharist, torture, and the theological gifts and problems in the works of Hans Frei and H. Richard Niebuhr, Hunsinger embodies afresh the core commitments he has learned through his lifelong study of Karl Barth: generous, tough-minded ecumenism that seeks ecclesial unity without sacrificing theological substance; and deep engagement with the Nicene, Chalcedonian, and Reformation Christian traditions in order to witness today to the saving significance of Jesus Christ for the entire world. * Martha More-Keish, Columbia Theological Seminary, USA * George Hunsinger brilliantly demonstrates how key theological impulses from Karl Barth continue to challenge the church to greater faithfulness in worship and sacraments, political witness, and ecumenical relations, also with Jews. Hunsinger's generous orthodoxy is firmly grounded in Nicaea, Chalcedon, and the Reformation, while welcoming insights from other theological perspectives. These essays richly summarize commitments that have characterized all of Hunsinger's work, including church catechisms and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. * John Burgess, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, USA * Another significant volume from the well-known Princeton scholar George Hunsinger: a wide ranging vision of contemporary theology especially regarding urgent ecumenical questions. * Michael Weinrich, University of Bochum, Germany * This collection of essays harvests the fruits of Hunsinger's mature scholarship, and allows him to move with his passionate interest in Barth to a more "conversational" theology that engages the whole church, while also dealing with more recent post-liberal and political themes. * Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology *