A Theology of Cross and Kingdom
Theologia Crucis after the Reformation, Modernity, and Ultramodern Tribalistic Syncretism
- Theology
- Publisher: Pickwick Publications (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2019
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Publisher's Description
Luther's theology of the cross has impacted major theologians and centuries of theology, including the present, and yet it is weakened by its reactionary theological determinism, reductionism, and understandable failure to properly integrate fluid, melioristic, and pro-creation kingdom eschatology. N. T. Wright's revolutionary cross, articulated in The Day the Revolution Began: Reconsidering the Meaning of Jesus's Crucifixion, is a brilliant and clarion new creation eschatological call to action that suffers from a somewhat cryptic, imprecise, and unrefined eschatology. Heino O. Kadai has presented an authoritative and concise rendering of Luther's key insights. Rustin Brian has carefully assessed whether Luther's theology of the cross deserves blame for the Deus absconditus of modernity in his Barthian influenced Covering Up Luther. Robert Cady Saler has masterfully articulated a relevant and pastoral Theologia Crucis framed by Moltmann's Theology of Hope that is most applicable to the contemporary church and sociopolitical engagement. A Theology of Cross and Kingdom sympathetically and creatively critiques and synthesizes dominant themes in such classical and contemporary theologies of the cross within a unified cross and kingdom eschatology. Matthews deftly overcomes many of the less than helpful disjunctive approaches to the theology of the cross while proffering a way forward for this most influential and core theological treasure of the church.
Endorsements (3)
“Doug Matthews has a unique perspective on theology—both as a comprehensive theoretical discipline as well as an applied, real-world resource to address the core challenges of living as a seasoned theologian and practitioner in times like these. . . . While his insight will demand careful thought, the reader will benefit from several important perspectives on living out the Christian experience within the tensions that exist between the challenges of the cross and the hopes of the resurrection.”
“Doug Matthews sensitively sifts historic and contemporary understandings of the cross, starting with the work of Luther, and underlines the recognition that God ‘unexpectedly shows up amidst pain, shame, and suffering.’ Matthews sets this theology of cruciform suffering against dominant contemporary models of spiritual sensualism and narcissism, to show that God is found ‘especially, amidst suffering, weakness, and pain.’ He creates an important roadmap to help readers navigate the complex terrain of contemporary theologies of the cross, directs them to the key features of the landscape, and helps explain what each contributes to this pivotal Christian doctrine.”
“In this ambitious book Dr. Matthews shows how a recovery of Luther’s theology of the cross has rich potential for addressing two contradictory features of today’s situation. On the one hand there is the blind optimism of a theology which promises endless blessings if we only have enough faith. But on the other hand, the reality is that Christians are being persecuted today perhaps more than ever before. In fact, as Matthews advocates, it is only as we participate in the sufferings of Christ that genuine blessing is to be obtained.”
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