JURGEN MOLTMANN'S PUBLIC THEOLOGY

Jurgen Moltmann's theology has always been characterized by its concern with questions of political and social life. His political hermeneutic is based upon a dialectical relationship between the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ in a dialogue with the philosophy and social theory of Ernst Bloch and the Frankfurt School. Theologians such as John Milbank and Arne Rasmusson have criticized Moltmann's approach as leading to a pagan captivity of Christian theology, and suggest instead the creation of a Christian social theory independent of secular categories. Yet, a proper understanding of Moltmann's conception of the "Exodus Church," coupled with a theory of role of civil society in modern life, demonstrates that Moltmann's theology more authentically represents Christian aspirations with regard to society than the approach of his critics.