Episode 98: Jürgen Moltmann (1926-2024) - archive interview with the theologian of hope
The sad news of the passing of Professor Jürgen Moltmann prompted us to revisit the richness of his thought and the gracious wisdom of his style with this interview from 2013.
From concerns that are very much of the time (the New Atheism and its influence) to issues that are more relevant now than then (the need for Christians to be involved in politics to combat far-right extremism), this wide-ranging interview covers politics, economics, art, environment and what it's like to be one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century.
Join Laura, Malky and Jonty as they discuss Prof Moltmann's answers, muse of Christian Rap and examine why Malky still has a certain picture on his wall.
Prof Jürgen Moltmann has been described as perhaps the greatest Protestant theologian of the 20th Century. Best known for his 1972 work The Crucified God, and for 1964's Theology of Hope, Moltmann had a huge influence on western theology, but was not without detractors. In this quote from Donald McLeod in Themeleos, one can sense the author's frustration perhaps as much as one can feel oneself warming to Moltmann based on the critique:
"How does Moltmann satisfy himself that something is true? More important, how does he convince the reader that something is true? The two means of verification normally open to Christians are Scripture and tradition. Neither of these seems particularly important to Moltmann. He has a decidedly smorgasbord approach to the canon; and his respect for fathers and reformers is scant, to say the least. His real criteria lie elsewhere. In order to be true, a doctrine must offer a viable theodicy (it must shed light on Auschwitz); it must advance Jewish-Christian dialogue, bearing in mind that Jews were ‘sufferers’ and Christians ‘perpetrators’: it must meet the ecological concerns of humankind; it must give a platform for Christian political activism; and it must both illuminate and be illuminated by the preoccupations of feminism. Above all, theological statements must be validated by experience. Even what looks like his fundamental theological principle, crux probat omnia (‘the cross is the test of everything’) is itself accepted only because it conforms to these criteria."What's not to love?
Moltmann's writing style is complex, dense and almost poetic rather than analytic, which itself has drawn criticism. But in this interview with a young and not terribly smart pseudojournalist, the good Professor is clear, concise and frankly quotable. Listen out for his response to the apocalyptic view that Christians need not care about Creation!
We are sure we have not done his thought and legacy justice, but we are pleased to potentially introduce some folks to Prof Moltmann's legacy.
Please remember Prof Moltmann's family and friends in your prayers.
You can listen to Episode 97 anywhere: in the fight against anti-Semitism, misogyny and environmental degradation; in a space of hope (because without hope one cannot live); at a Christian Rap concert; and right here…
Thanks to all the friends of the podcast who shared (or almost shared) their insights about the great man and thanks to Mark at BMSWM for the permission, years ago, to use this material, long before we ever envisioned a podcast like this. You were the reason any of us got to hear him speak live.
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