The Cross as a Political Instrument? Jürgen Moltmann and the Political Relevance of Christian Identity Cover Image

Križ kao političko sredstvo? Jürgen Moltmann i politička relevantnost kršćanskoga identiteta
The Cross as a Political Instrument? Jürgen Moltmann and the Political Relevance of Christian Identity

Author(s): Zoran Grozdanov
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Philosophy of Religion, Pastoral Theology, Identity of Collectives
Published by: Hrvatsko Filozofsko Društvo
Keywords: Jürgen Moltmann; the cross; new political theology; religious identities; the death of God;

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, we want to point to the roots of Moltmann’s “new political theology” which he initiated along with J. B. Metz at the end of the 1960s and the beginning of 1970s, with special emphasis on the meaning of the cross in the political and societal engagement of Christian communities and believers. Moltmann’s conception of “new political theology” is mainly relying on his conception of the death of God which he draws from the history of Jesus of Nazareth, but from Hegel’s understanding of the speculative Good Friday as well. Mainly emphasising the death of God, Moltmann was able to posit the cross as a radical critique of the divinization of collective identities that the society, politics and religion push forward. Along those lines, he sees the revolutionary potential of the cross in the critique of these identities.

  • Issue Year: 38/2018
  • Issue No: 04/152
  • Page Range: 699-709
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Croatian