“Clear and concise, Theodore Whapham’s book reconstructs the development of one of the great theologians of the 20th century. Famously, Pannenberg views history as 'God’s self-demonstration of his divinity to humanity.' These pages retrace the trajectory from Pannenberg’s early essays to his crowning achievement. Step by step, Whapham helps readers understand the central building blocks of what may be the most breath-taking theological vision of the 20th century.”
The Unity of Theology: The Contribution of Wolfhart Pannenberg
Wolfhart Pannenberg is one of the most important theologians of the second half of the twentieth century. This volume offers the first full historical and thematic survey of Pannenberg’s corpus, from his early work on the theology of revelation and Christology, to his writings on anthropology, theology, and the university, and the pivotal achievement of his systematic theology. In the process of this survey, it identifies the broad, consistent development in his work across his career, as well as several significant revisions to his positions. As such, the project makes a significant contribution to the theological assessment of his career and will be a useful text for students and scholars in modern and contemporary theology.
In addition to the historical survey of his career, The Unity of Theology identifies four key themes in Pannenberg’s theological system and traces their development. These themes of anticipation, interdisciplinarity, public theology, and diversity in unity also help to further articulate the importance of his contribution to contemporary theological approaches in light of the challenges of post-modernity. Pannenberg’s work is creative in its fidelity to the biblical witnesses and creative in its interaction with the key questions of the day.
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Hardcover
- ISBN 9781451465525
- eBook ISBN 9781451472455
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Pages 232
- Publication Date November 1, 2017
Contents
Introduction
1. Revelation: God’s Being in History
2. Christology: Revelation in the Person of Jesus
3. Method: The Place of Theology in the Academy
4. Anthropology: The Foundations of Religion in Human Fulfilment
5. Systematic Theology: The Coherence of the Christian Doctrine
of the Trinity
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Endorsements
Whapham helps readers understand the central building blocks of what may be the most breath-taking theological vision of the 20th century.
Philip Clayton | Claremont School of Theology
Whapham keeps the memory of Pannenberg's theology alive and on the right track.
"One of Wolfhart Pannenberg's hopes was that his contribution to modern Christian thought not be soon forgotten and that, when remembered, it be correctly understood. With The Unity of Theology Theodore Whapham keeps the memory of Pannenberg's theology alive and on the right track."
Roger Olson | George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Theodore James Whapham provides a clear, substantial and well-written introduction to the theology of Wolfhart Pannenberg.
“In The Unity of Theology, Theodore James Whapham provides a clear, substantial and well-written introduction to the theology of the distinguished German Lutheran theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg (1927-2015). Concentrating on central themes of Pannenberg’s work and tracing the chronological development of his thought, Whapham equips readers to explore for themselves significant works from all stages of Pannenberg’s theological career, such as Revelation as History and the three-volume Systematic Theology.”
John P. Galvin | The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
A careful analysis of the historical development of Wolfhart Pannenberg’s theological vision.
“Whapham’s careful analysis of the historical development of Wolfhart Pannenberg’s theological vision in terms of a series of books on specific doctrinal beliefs over the years that culminated in his three-volume Systematic Theology was quite valuable to me in thinking through the complex role that Christian theology and Christian theologians should play in contemporary society. In particular, I valued Pannenberg’s (and Whapham’s) focus on the public character of theology with its emphasis on interdisciplinary work in religion and science, the anticipation of a full reconciliation of reason and revelation, etc. Furthermore, Pannenberg’s explanation of the doctrine of the Trinity in terms of the unity-in-diversity among the divine persons gives one reason to believe that the pattern of unity-in-diversity of parts or members is all-pervasive in the world of creation.”
Joseph Bracken, SJ | professor emeritus, Xavier University