The following efforts bear the title Theology of Hope, not because they set out once again to present eschatology as a separate doctrine and to compete with the well known textbooks. Rather, their aim is to show how theology can set out from hope and begin to consider its theme in an eschatological light. For this reason they enquire into the ground of the hope of Christian faith and into the responsible exercise of this hope in thought and action in the world today. The various critical discussions should not be understood as rejections and condemnations. They are necessary conversations on a common subject which is so rich that it demands continual new approaches. Hence I hope they may make it clear that even critical questions can be a sign of theological partnership. I have thus to thank all who have stimulated, and all who have opposed me.
For the reading of the proofs and for many of the references I am grateful to my assistant, Mr Karl-Adolf Bauer.
Jürgen Moltmann
AGFNRW Veröffentlichungen der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen
ET English translation
EvTh Evangelische Theologie
ExpT Expository Times
NF Neue Folge
NTS New Testament Studies
RGG Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart
TLZ Theologische Literaturzeitung
TWNT Theologisches Wörterbuch zum Neuen Testament
VT Suppl. Supplements to Vetus Testamentum
WA Complete Works of Luther, Weimarer Ausgabe
ZTK Zeitschrift für Theologie und Kirche