The Doctrine of the Atonement in the Theology of Wolfhart Pannenberg

248 Pages·1978·7.339 MB·English

by  Herbert Neie

HERBERT NEIE
THE DOCTRINE OF THE ATONEMENT
IN THE THEOLOGY OF WOLFHART PANNENBERG
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THE DOCTRINE OF THE
ATONEMENT IN THE THEOLOGY
OF WOLFHART PANNENBERG
BY
HERBERT NEIE
WALTER DE GRUYTER · BERLIN · NEW YORK
1979
THEOLOGISCHE BIBLIOTHEK TÖPELMANN
HERAUSGEGEBEN VON
K. ALAND, C. H. RATSCHOW UND E. SCHLINK
36. BAND
CIP-Kurztitelaufnahme der Deutschen Bibliothek
Neie, Herbert:
The doctrine of the atonement in the theology of Wolfhart
Pannenberg / by Herbert Neie. —
Berlin, New York : de Gruyter, 1978.
(Theologische Bibliothek Töpelmann ; Bd. 36)
ISBN 3-11-007506-7
© 1978 by Walter de Gruyter Sc Co., Berlin 30 (Printed in Germany)
Alle Rechte, insbesondere das der Übersetzung in fremde Sprachen, vorbehalten. Ohne ausdrückliche
Genehmigung des Verlages ist es auch nicht gestattet, dieses Buch oder Teile daraus auf
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Satz und Druck: Walter de Gruyter, 1 Berlin 30 · Einband: Fuhrmann, 1 Berlin 36
PREFACE
The title of this book might sound pedantic to potential readers and
deter some. It was meant to be unassuming and to the point. Yet it might
conceal the degree to which I was intrigued and enthralled by Pannenberg's
thought at large. My efforts at an analysis of his mode of understanding the
cross led me to attempt to familiarize the reader with the major aspects and
tenets of this theologian's systematic design. I got carried away. Thus, as a
contribution both to the discussion on Pannenberg and to a contemporary
understanding of the cross, my study at the same time wishes to facilitate a
thorough grasp of Pannenberg's thought for those familiar with his works
and to entice those not familiar to turn to this author. For it is my
conviction that Pannenberg represents an important option in contem-
porary Christian philosophical and doctrinal theology.
Of my esteemed teachers of student days who started me off on my
theological journey and spurred my interest in the atonement I gratefully
mention Arnold B. Come (now president of San Francisco Theological
Seminary) and Wolfgang Trillhaas, Professor Emeritus of the University of
Göttingen. I am deeply indebted to the chairman of my doctoral committee
at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, Benjamin A. Reist, who gave
my research unselfish interest, untiring encouragement, and absolute
independence. A. Durwood Foster wisely guided my research. Bernard M.
Loomer opened my eyes for Process modes of thought. For this and their
friendship I wish to thank them. I am grateful to Professors Kenan B.
Osborne, O.F. M., James McClendon, and Gerard Caspary for what I
learnt from them.
I must not omit to give thanks to many non-professionals who helped
me to experience and pass on reconciliation as a living reality: my
parishioners and students, foremost my parents and family to whom I
dedicate this book.
VI Preface
I gladly acknowledge the generous doctoral grants of the Graduate
Theological Union and the substantial financial support of Mrs. Thomas R.
Clark of Elk River, Minn., during the years of my research. Equally, I
thank all who contributed financially to the printing of this, above all the
Evangelische Kirche von Kurhessen-Waldeck, Germany.
While writing this I was indefatiguably assisted by the patient and
cheerful services of Mrs. Louise Beck, librarian. Unforgettable is the
fellowship of the San Francisco Seminary community who graciously
extended their hospitality to me and my family.
The cross of Christ is our salvation according to our faith. May this
treatise be of some help when we try to understand why and how.
Fulda, August 1978 Η. N.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter I:
Introduction to Pannenberg's Doctrine of the Atonement
1. The General Theological Setting of the Doctrine
2. The Biblical Understanding of Jesus'Death
3. The Epistemological Criterion: Historicity
4. A Preliminary Statement on Pannenberg's Presuppositions of His
Epistemological Criteria
5. The Hermeneutical Criterion: Contemporary
Wirklichkeitsverständnis
6. The Application of the Epistemological Criterion to Jesus' Death
Chapter II:
Jesus'Divinity Established
1. The Proleptic Character of Jesus'Pre-EasterMinistry
2. The Resurrection of Jesus as God's Confirmation of Jesus' Identity
3. The Resurrection of Jesus as Abrogation of the Law
4. WhatDoestheConceptionResurrectionoftheDeadMean?
5. TheEvidencefortheHistoricityofJesus'Resurrection
6. The Proleptic Character of God's Confirmation in Jesus'Resurrec-
tion
Chapter III:
Jesus' Divinity Defined and Pannenberg's Concept of Revelation
1. The Concept of Revelational Presence
2. The Concept of Retroactive Ontological Enforcement
3. The Unity of the Man Jesus With God
4. Jesus'and the Father's Divinity
5. The Relation of Divinity and Humanity in Jesus
VIII Table of Contents
Chapter IV:
Jesus'IdentityastheSonofGod 73
1. Jesus'PersonalCommunitywiththeFatheranditsFunction 73
2. Jesus' Indirect Identity with the Son of God 74
3. The Concept of Dedication to God and the Final Step Toward
Jesus' Identity as Son of God 77
4. The Mutual Dependence of theNoetical and the Ontological Foun-
dation ofjesus'Identity as Son of God 80
5. SomeConsequencesforTheologicalAnthropology 85
Chapter V:
Analysis of the Determinative Concepts of Pannenberg's Theology as a
Whole 88
1. ThreeMotivesofPannenberg'sTheology 88
2. Important Systematic Influences 94
3. TheBiblicalFoundationofPannenberg'sOntology 101
4. The Corroborative Anthropological Evidence 104
5. The Concepts of God and Being 110
6. The Existence of God 122
Chapter VI:
TheSignificanceofJesus'DeathontheCross 129
1. TheRelationshipofJesus'DeathtotheLaw 130
2. CanWeSpeakofanExpiatoryCharacterofJesus'Death? 136
3. InWhatSensedidJesusDieforHumanity? 140
4. The Concept of Inclusive Substitution 145
Chapter VII:
TheSignificanceofJesus'DeathontheCross(II) 151
1. TheCritiqueofThreeSoteriologicalTheories 151
2. The Significance ofjesus'Freedom and Sinlessness 156
3. The Evaluation of the Officium Sacerdotale Christi - Doctrine 168
4. Intermediate Result 171
Table of Contents IX
Chapter VIII:
Critique of Pannenberg'sStaurology 180
1. TheOldlsraeliteUnderstandingofExpiation 180
2. Ethical Individualism and the Ancient Hebrew Concept of
Collective Liability 185
3. Ethical Individualism and the Modern View of Substitution as a
Universal Phenomenon in Personal and Socio-political Life 191
4. Pannenberg'sDoctrineandthePhenomenonofSubstitution 196
5. The pro nobis of Jesus' Death 202
Chapter IX:
The Cross as God's Passion — Further Questions and some Constructive
Suggestions 207
1. The Rank of the Cross in the Christ Event 207
2. The Christ Event as Revelation 209
3. WhatisLove? 213
4. Christ's Suffering in Relation to God the Father's 216
Selected Bibliography 229
1. Works by WolfhartPannenberg 229
2. Other Literature 230