In Part 286 I published the following:
In the 1990s I read Theology of Hope (1964) by Jurgen Moltmann. It was a major influence on my thinking as at the time I was studying for a diploma in theology.
His obituary published in The Daily Telegraph on10th June 2024 had this to say:
"Jurgen Moltmann was the most significant Protestant theologian of the 20th century.
"The basis of Moltmann's work was his conviction that true theology must always be related to concrete human situations and that the teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of God requires of his followers commitment to the overthrowing of everything in the social order that is contrary to its demands. This led him to personal involvement in peace and other demonstrations.....and close association with the Liberation Theology movement in Latin America, where his work was specially valued by Catholic theologians.
"The message was of a God whose coming in the world lay not in some distant future but was a present reality, thus offering both hope and challenge."
The news of Martin Luther King Jnr's assassination propelled Moltmann into an interest in black theology and becoming a strong supporter of the USA civil rights movement. Moltmann's wife, Elisabeth Moltmann-Wendell was a prominent supporter of feminist theology.
I published an obituary and appreciation of the theology of Gustavo Gutierrez in Part 327.
The theology of Moltmann and of Gutiérrez had a profound effect on my thinking at a time I was studying for a diploma in theology. It led to my being active in secular and faith organisations promoting social justice and also those providing support individuals at point of need.
Jesus told us to follow him and to love our neighbour. Action, not mere intellectual assent. We are called to action.
The poverty of the poor is not a call to generous relief action, but a demand that we go and build a different social order.
Gustavo Gutiérrez
