Werner G. Jeanrond approaches hope from the perspective of a theology of love. He distinguishes human hopes from the hope which God has given to humanity. Jeanrond discusses the challenges of a Christian praxis of hope in today's world and invites both a new conversation on a future with God and a reassessment of the potential of hope for Christian discipleship.
Jeanrond argues that memory is important for hope, and that nobody can hope for herself or himself alone. Hope thus invites personal, communal, political and global participation and transformation. Moreover, it gives rise to a powerful constellation of symbolic expressions, including judgement, heaven, hell, and purgatory, that call for ongoing interpretation. Ranging from radical hope and the hope for salvation, to the power of judgment and contemporary fears about the future of nations, humankind and the world, Jeanrond's latest work offers a theological contribution to the multireligious conversation on hope, death and the human future in our universe. Faced with neo-tribalism, hatred and ecological disaster, Werner G. Jeanrond calls the Church to a dialogue on hope, grounded in love. A follow-up on his book on love, this insightful volume gives us tools to become agents for hope. * Kari Veiteberg, Bishop of Oslo, Norway * Reflecting on hope from the horizon of love, Werner G. Jeanrond continues his masterful and creative interpretation of the theological virtues in a way that is firmly grounded in the rich history of Christian thought, but also open to new and more inclusive layers of meaning. * Catherine Cornille, Professor of Comparative Theology, Boston College, USA *
Preface
Notes for the Reader
Acknowledgements
1. Hope, Hopes and Radical Hope
2. Hoping for Salvation
3. Salvation or Reconciliation
4. Individual and Community: Three Eschatological Programmes
5. Memory and Hope
6. Death and Hope
7. Judgement, Heaven and Hell: The Power of Symbols
8. Christian Praxis of Hope and Europe's Future
9. Reasons to Hope
Select Bibliography
Index of Names
Index of Subjects