Understanding the 'Imago Dei' : The Thought of Barth, Von Balthasar and Moltmann

As theologians across confessional divides try to say something significant about human dignity in our contemporary society, there is fresh interest in the ancient Christian doctrine that the human being is created in the 'imago Dei'. Theology is grounding responsibility for others and for the world around us in this common vision that the human being's infinite horizon lies in a divine calling and destiny. Robinson examines the 'imago Dei' debate through three giants of twentieth century theology - Karl Barth, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Jurgen Moltmann. This is placed against a survey of the principle developments and distinctions relating to the doctrine in the history of Christian thought, which in itself will be valuable for all students of Theology. A fresh analysis of ecumenical contributions places the development of the doctrine in the context of the ongoing process of ecumenical dialogue on the dignity of the human person, with special reference to this theme in the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, Deus caritas est. Whilst 'imago Dei' is the focus of this book, Robinson invites the reader to see its relevance to theology as a whole on a specifically ecumenical canvas, and relates directly to more general areas of theological anthropology, grace, salvation, and the relationship between God and the world. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Abbreviations......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 The Account in Genesis......Page 16 Augustine......Page 19 Irenaeus......Page 23 Aquinas......Page 25 Luther......Page 28 Calvin......Page 31 The Council of Trent......Page 33 The Second Vatican Council......Page 35 Barth, von Balthasar and Moltmann......Page 38 Karl Barth......Page 40 Hans Urs von Balthasar......Page 44 Jürgen Moltmann......Page 49 Conclusion......Page 52 Understanding of “Imago Dei ”: Objectives and Tensions......Page 56 The Sources of Barth’s Sombre View of Humanity......Page 61 Critical Analysis: Formulation of Barth’s View and Rejection of Roman Catholic Understanding......Page 67 Critical Analysis: Karl Barth’s Model of “Imago Dei ” in Itself......Page 78 Conclusion......Page 89 Understanding of “Imago Dei ”......Page 94 Critical Analysis: Patristic Sources......Page 100 Critical Analysis: The Barthian Contribution......Page 109 Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Model of “Imago Dei ” in Itself......Page 131 Conclusion......Page 137 Understanding of “Imago Dei ”: Themes and New Directions......Page 140 The Quest for a Relational Model......Page 147 Jürgen Moltmann’s Model of “Imago Dei ” in Itself......Page 155 Conclusion......Page 167 5 Concluding Reflections: Broader Horizons......Page 170 Deus Caritas Est and the Interface of Agape and Eros......Page 173 Closing Recommendations......Page 177 Closing Summary......Page 186 Bibliography......Page 188 Glossary......Page 198 Index......Page 200 As theologians across confessional divides try to say something significant about human dignity in our contemporary society, there is fresh interest in the ancient Christian doctrine that the human being is created in the'imago Dei'. Theology is grounding responsibility for others and for the world around us in this common vision that the human being's infinite horizon lies in a divine calling and destiny. Robinson examines the'imago Dei'debate through three giants of twentieth century theology - Karl Barth, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and JÃ1⁄4rgen Moltmann. This is placed against a survey of the principle developments and distinctions relating to the doctrine in the history of Christian thought, which in itself will be valuable for all students of Theology. A fresh analysis of ecumenical contributions places the development of the doctrine in the context of the ongoing process of ecumenical dialogue on the dignity of the human person, with special reference to this theme in the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est. Whilst'imago Dei'is the focus of this book, Robinson invites the reader to see its relevance to theology as a whole on a specifically ecumenical canvas, and relates directly to more general areas of theological anthropology, grace, salvation, and the relationship between God and the world. Cover 1 Contents 6 Abbreviations 8 Acknowledgements 10 Introduction 12 1 “Imago Dei ”: The Historico-Theological Background 16 The Account in Genesis 16 Augustine 19 Irenaeus 23 Aquinas 25 Luther 28 Calvin 31 The Council of Trent 33 The Second Vatican Council 35 Barth, von Balthasar and Moltmann 38 Karl Barth 40 Hans Urs von Balthasar 44 Jürgen Moltmann 49 Conclusion 52 2 Karl Barth 56 Understanding of “Imago Dei ”: Objectives and Tensions 56 The Sources of Barth’s Sombre View of Humanity 61 Critical Analysis: Formulation of Barth’s View and Rejection of Roman Catholic Understanding 67 Critical Analysis: Karl Barth’s Model of “Imago Dei ” in Itself 78 Conclusion 89 3 Hans Urs von Balthasar 94 Understanding of “Imago Dei ” 94 Critical Analysis: Patristic Sources 100 Critical Analysis: The Barthian Contribution 109 Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Model of “Imago Dei ” in Itself 131 Conclusion 137 4 Jürgen Moltmann 140 Understanding of “Imago Dei ”: Themes and New Directions 140 The Quest for a Relational Model 147 Jürgen Moltmann’s Model of “Imago Dei ” in Itself 155 Conclusion 167 5 Concluding Reflections: Broader Horizons 170 Deus Caritas Est and the Interface of Agape and Eros 173 Closing Recommendations 177 Closing Summary 186 Bibliography 188 Glossary 198 Index 200 Introduction -- Imago Dei: The Historico-theological Background -- The Account In Genesis -- Augustine -- Irenaeus -- Aquinas -- Luther -- Calvin -- The Council Of Trent -- The Second Vatican Council -- Barth, Von Balthasar And Moltmann -- Karl Barth -- Hans Urs Von Balthasar -- Jürgen Moltmann -- Conclusion -- Karl Barth -- Understanding Of Imago Dei: Obejctives And Tensions -- The Sources Of Barth's Sombre View Of Humanity -- Critical Analysis: Formulation Of Barth's View And Rejection Of Roman Catholic Understanding -- Critical Analysis: Karl Barth's Model Of Imago Dei In Itself -- Conclusion -- Hans Urs Von Balthasar -- Understanding Of Imago Dei -- Critical Analysis: Patristic Sources -- Critical Analysis: The Barthian Contribution -- Hans Urs Von Balthasar's Model Of Imago Dei In Itself -- Conclusion -- Jürgen Moltmann -- Understanding Of Imago Dei: Themes And New Directions -- The Quest For A Relational Model -- Jürgen Moltmann's Model Of Imago Dei In Itself -- Conclusion -- Concluding Reflections: Broader Horizons -- Deus Caritas Est And The Interface Of Agape And Eros -- Closing Recommendations -- Closing Summary. Dominic Robinson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. As theologians across confessional divides try to say something significant about human dignity in our contemporary society, there is fresh interest in the ancient Christian doctrine that the human being is created in the 'imago Dei'. Robinson examines the 'imago Dei' debate through three giants of twentieth century theology - Karl Barth, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Jürgen Moltmann. Fresh analysis of ecumenical contributions places the development of the doctrine in the context of the ongoing process of ecumenical dialogue on the dignity of the human person