The Metaphysics and Politics of Justification in Karl Barth, Wolfhart Pannenberg, and Robert Jenson delves into the enigmatic concept of time and its relation to Christian theology, with a particular focus on the future's impact on time. Rather than attempting to solve the mystery of time, this book aims to provide an insightful reflection that will deepen our understanding of time in light of Christian theology. The book poses several thought-provoking questions, such as whether the future is completely shrouded in mystery or whether it provides a glimpse of itself that beckons us toward it. Additionally, the book explores whether the future retroactively affects the present and how time flows. Sang Hoon Lee examines Christian theology's distinct perspective on time, which is informed by its doctrines of the resurrection, the last event, and justification. In the process, the book explores the concept of retroactivity, which is derived from the implications of the resurrection and its power over history and time. Ultimately, the book seeks to unpack the power of the resurrection over time and history and to assert that Jesus as the risen is the center of history.
Sang Hoon Lee is professor in systematic theology at Bethel Theological Seminary in South Sudan.
Introduction Chapter One: The Contemporaneity of the Risen Jesus in Karl Barth's Theology Chapter Two: The Retroactivity of the Future in Wolfhart Pannenberg's Theology Chapter Three: The Retroactivity of the New Covenant Chapter Four: Toward the Eschatological Understanding of Justification: Premodern Accounts Chapter Five: Toward the Eschatological Understanding of Justification: Modern Accounts Chapter Six: The Physical Transcendence of the Risen One in Robert Jenson's Theology Conclusion Bibliography About the Author
Taking to task brightest theological luminaries such as Barth and Pannenberg is not for the faint-hearted. It takes a lot of audacity-as well as analytic and theological skills combined with wide and deep learning. This is what the author of this brilliant book is doing. Building critically on the proposals of these and other Masters, he argues carefully for a constructive proposal as to how to think about time and eternity and what the implications to Christian doctrine might be. In fact, Sang Hoon Lee is match to his famous interlocutors-and makes a unique contribution to the continuing critical discussion of these vital topics. This is systematic theology at its best. -- Veli-Matti Karkkainen, Fuller Theological Seminary
