The Gospel of Liberation Author:Jürgen Moltmann Jürgen Moltmann (born 1926) is a German Protestant theologian. — He wrote in the Preface to this 1973 book, "The sermons and radio talks which make up this book come from the last six years... I would like to testify that my well-known 'theology of hope' is a theology FOR the church and not against it... the sermon is one of the best (means) for... more » liberating the internally and externally oppressed man for faith, love, and hope."
Commenting on Wolfgang Borchert (The Man Outside), Moltmann notes, "It is not only man's fault if he does not find God. Man has sought, questioned, cried, and suffered---but it is God's responsibility that no answer has come; for he has concealed himself, withdrew, and was not there. Seek God so long as he is to be found, for there is a time in which he is not to be found and gives no further answer." (Pg. 15) He suggests that "The hope of resurrection proves its truth in the actual contradiction of true life against a life of death, in contradiction of righteousness against evil, and of peace against disruption. It does not lead to the point that men are satisfied with relations as they are." (Pg. 49)
He argues pointedly that "It is through the propaganda of the dominant that the notion of friend-enemy dichotomy is brought to us. But Christ is not against 'the Communists'; he died for them... That demands from us a new thinking and a new solidarity of love, for only love overturns anxiety." (Pg. 92) He asserts that real joy "must liberate us from the burden which actually weights us down. It must be a match for the power of evil and the despotism of suffering. It must show us and the oppressed of this world a future and bring the liberation in which everything shall become new. Otherwise joy remains waiting outside the door and does not enter." (Pg. 114-115)
He observes in the final sermon that "Christianity is not only a religion of salvation, but at the same time an encompassing revolution of earthly affairs." (Pg. 126)
These sermons and talks make an accessible introduction to Moltmann« less