Christianity Outside the Church: Pannenberg's Public Theology in Dialogue with Max Stackhouse

Jae Yang develops a Pannenbergian public theology by correlating Pannenberg's theological methods with the aims and methods of public theology, arguing that it engages with the academic, political, economic, familial, religious, and cultural spheres. It seeks to cooperate and dialogue with the established order under the presumption of a "Christianity outside the church."

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2024
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Wolfhart Pannenberg's notion of "public" is rooted in his belief that revelation is a historical process, which implies that everything has the potential to be the subject of theology. However, it is impossible to develop a comprehensive public theology that encompasses everything. Jae Yang, therefore, proposes a Pannenbergian public theology by integrating Pannenberg's theological approaches (postfoundational, eschatological, and trinitarian) with the goals and methodologies of public theology. Additionally, Yang argues that Pannenberg's public theology extends beyond the academic realm and engages with various spheres such as politics, economics, family, religion, and culture.

In this book, the author contends that Pannenberg can be classified as a public theologian because his theology serves a public purpose rather than imposing a Christian agenda on society, challenging and subverting unjust structures, or replacing overtly Christian religion with a secular and vaguely religious one. Instead, Pannenberg aims to cooperate and engage in dialogue with the established order, assuming a "Christianity outside the church."

Pannenberg's understanding of "public" is shaped by his belief in the historical nature of revelation and the interconnectedness of all things. He sees theology as a means of understanding the ultimate meaning and purpose of human existence and the relationship between God and the world. Pannenberg's postfoundational approach emphasizes the importance of dialogue and conversation as a means of constructing theological knowledge and understanding. He believes that theology should be rooted in the historical experiences and traditions of a particular community but should also be open to the insights and perspectives of other faiths and cultures.

Eschatology, another key aspect of Pannenberg's theology, focuses on the end times and the ultimate destiny of humanity. Pannenberg believes that the end times are not a fixed event but rather a process of transformation and renewal. He sees the role of the church as a witness to the coming kingdom of God and as a source of hope and encouragement for people in the midst of suffering and uncertainty.

Trinitarianism, Pannenberg's third theological approach, emphasizes the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Pannenberg sees the Trinity as a dynamic and relational entity that is at the heart of the Christian faith. He believes that the Trinity provides a framework for understanding the nature of God, the human person, and the relationship between the two.

Pannenberg's public theology is characterized by its commitment to dialogue and collaboration with other faiths and cultures. He believes that the church has a responsibility to engage with the broader social and political context in which it operates and to work towards the promotion of justice, peace, and human well-being. Pannenberg's theology is also deeply rooted in the Christian tradition and seeks to draw on the rich resources of Christian thought and history to address contemporary challenges and issues.

In conclusion, Wolfhart Pannenberg's understanding of "public" as rooted in revelation as history implies that everything has the potential to be the subject of theology. Jae Yang's Pannenbergian public theology integrates Pannenberg's theological approaches with the goals and methodologies of public theology, engaging with various spheres such as politics, economics, family, religion, and culture. Pannenberg's theology is characterized by its postfoundational, eschatological, and trinitarian approaches, which emphasize dialogue, collaboration, and the promotion of justice and human well-being. Pannenberg's public theology serves as a valuable contribution to the field of theology and offers a way for the church to engage with the broader social and political context in which it operates.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978715905