Volume 81, Issue 3

Article and theses basically describe the program of a New Hermeneutical Theology. The article explains how the New Hermeneutical Theology relates to the classical Hermeneutical Theology of Ernst Fuchs, Gerhard Ebeling and Eberhard Jüngel, and to actual theological programs in Germany, such as Ingolf Dalferth, Christian Danz, and Folkart Wittekind. New Hermeneutical Theology‘s main systematic proposition is to work on the ground of linguistic and philosophical understandings of language and to consider language as a level where a fruitful dialogue between theology, Humanities and Social Sciences can take place. Paul Ricoeur is a main source of inspiration for the New Hermeneutical Theology. Already since the 1960ies, Ricoeur elaborated a hermeneutic grounded in a theory of language. This led to critical and constructive discussions with Hermeneutical Theologians. The theses show some of the systematical coherences of the New Hermeneutical Theology and its impact on different areas of Dogmatic and Ethics.

The Cain and Abel narrative is often read as a story of how sin spread among humans after the fall in the Garden of Eden. However, this common interpretation does not hold up. In the context of the non-priestly primeval history, the Cain and Abel narrative rather reflects on the person of Cain the consequences of the previously acquired knowledge of good and evil. According to the Cain and Abel narrative, the person endowed with knowledge of good and evil is undoubtedly capable of doing good. But he must also want to do the good. He must orient his actions towards the good. If he does this, he can live with a clear conscience. If he does not, then - and only then - he risks falling into the realm of sin and succumbing to sin.

The religious pluralization of Western societies raises the question: Should theology also be pursued interreligiously in this setting? This paper critically inquires into how »interreligious theology« is to be understood, distinguishing between position, methodology, and institutionalized space. The paper takes a spatial theory approach as it considers the theological quality of spaces of distance, devotion, and tactfulness. Methodologically, it reflects on whether the term »interreligious« is intended to refer to work done with texts, shared rituals, or the sharing of spaces - and what the implications of this may be. In view of the »outcomes« of interreligious theological work, the piece distinguishes between the religious worldview and the many truths. It unequivocally affirms the feasibility of an interreligious pursuit of theology on the basis of a confessionally grounded Christian identity.

The concept of resonance and unavailability, which is currently widely discussed in church and theology, is interpreted in this contribution as a system program of hope. As a correlate, a theology of hope is unfolded anew, a theology of resurrection resonance is described, and the message of the coming kingdom of God in times of crisis is attempted to be updated.