The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate Jürgen Moltmann's political theology based on his concept of praxis. Moltmann who influenced by Marxist Ernst Bloch’s thought has concerned with questions of political and social life. His politica...
The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate Jürgen Moltmann's political theology based on his concept of praxis. Moltmann who influenced by Marxist Ernst Bloch’s thought has concerned with questions of political and social life. His political hermeneutic is based upon a dialectical relationship between the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His idea of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ is influenced by the philosophy of Ernst Bloch’s hope. However, this study attempts to reflect the whole idea of Moltmann’s political theology.
In this thesis, I define Moltmann's theology as a stimulating theory of Christian praxis. His political theology could not understand without his concept of praxis which mingled theory and practice. Accordingly, Moltmann's political theology can be discussed in this aspect of praxis.
Moltmann’s political theology can be divided into eschatology, christology, and ecclesiology. Firstly, this thesis defines his eschatology as “Art of Imagination.” The art of imagination means the expectation for the world that God recreates. The hope for the world stimulates human imagination, and the world promised by God in the dialectic of recollection and expectation is manifested in the imagination of human being. Through this, Christians can do aggressive praxis.
Secondly, this thesis discusses Moltmann’s christology. I define Moltmann's christology as “Art of Compassion.” As we know, Moltmann 's hermeneutics of the cross and the death of solidarity stimulates Christian’s sympathy. This sympathy stimulates the Christian's aggressive praxis toward the world. This sympathy can be achieved by the Christian praxis to follow Jesus Christ’s way.
Thirdly, this thesis defines Moltmann's ecclesiology as “Art of Community Spirit.” Moltmann claims that the church is an equal community of Christians. Moltmann's ecclesiology leads to the idea that the churches of the world are ultimately one in the history of the Trinity God, and that all members of the Church are equal interdependencies. This idea ultimately leads to the praxis of mutual care based on reciprocity.
In sum, this study examines how Moltmann's political theology leads to christian praxis. This dissertation also claims that Moltmann's political theology can be applied to Korean churches. This application will give the Korean church the possibility of new political theology.