Wolfhart Pannenberg has died. He was one of the major protestant theologians of the second half of the 20th century, and along with Jürgen Moltmann, responsible for the emergence of what came to be known as the "Theology of Hope." For my part, Pannenberg was always my second choice theologian of hope, but his contributions to the field of theology were undeniable, and his 3-volume Systematic Theology really a masterpiece of theological reflection.
I was always a bit wary of Pannenberg's rationalism. He had a tendency to draw what he saw as universally rational conclusions from what were, quite frankly, tenuous arguments. I was also never fond of his conservative politics. Nevertheless, the fact remains that he loomed large in theology in the second half of last century, and his impact will continue to be felt for a very long time.
Patrick Oden has an excellent eulogy for Pannenberg at his own blog, which I encourage you to read. He writes, in part:
Pannenberg argued that theology was not a private conversation as the resurrected Christ was not resurrected in spiritual isolation, but died in public and was raised in reality. The Creator God was lord of all, and so theology must also embrace all that is known in conversation. That makes theology a public enterprise.
I’ve heard it said that Pannenberg knew everything about everything, a seemingly dubious claim unless you’ve tried to read his works, where his depth of knowledge in so many ways is constantly enlightening and intimidating. While it still may not be accurate to say he knew everything, he was closer than one might expect could ever be possible.
He pointed towards a new way of understanding God’s work in the past, a new way of experiencing this work in the present through transformative hope, and a new way of seeing the future as something that defines us. The God who is ahead of us seeks and transforms our realities even now in light of what he is going to do, what he already has done in the future.
For Pannenberg, this future, our future, is now his present. His life’s work now coming to fruition, as he experiences the everything of everything in the presence of God.
For more on Pannenberg, you might also check out Moltmanniac's round-up of Pannenberg remembrances. Rest in peace, Herr Pannenberg. Your legacy will live long within the Church.
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