Moltmann's Theology of the Cross and the Doctrine of God

Abstract

It is the purpose of this study to examine Moltmann's theology of the cross and its consequences for a doctrine of God. That is, it will serve to follow Moltmann in his attempt to develop an understanding of God that is founded upon the event of Christ's crucifixion. Under the general concept of a doctrine of God, three principal themes emerge from the theology of the cross: the dialectical revelation of God, the suffering of God and the doctrine of the Trinity. This study is a restructuring of Moltmann's argument that attempts to examine each of these themes in light of the theology of the cross and one that strives to demonstrate their logical interconnectedness in Moltmann's thought. In other words, it aims to establish that, for Moltmann, a thoroughgoing theology of the cross recognizes the revelation of God as revelation in the dialectic of the cross, acknowledges the suffering of God in the dialectic of the cross, and perceives that the suffering of the cross reveals God as Trinity. In summary statement, God is revealed as Trinity in the dialectic of suffering of the cross. In addition, the development of these three themes is supplemented by an examination of three contrary themes of which Moltmann is critical: dialectical revelation and the analogical understanding of God, the suffering of God and the impassibility of God, and the doctrine of the Trinity and monotheism.