Table of Contents

Abbreviations ix

Preface xi

Introduction: A Methodological Vision in a New Key 1

On Doing Theology in a "Post-" World 1

Changing Visions of Theology and the Question of the Truth of Christian Claims 5

Constructive Theology in Search of a Coherent Vision 12

Theology in Search of an Inclusive Vision 16

Theology in Search of a Dialogical Vision 21

Theology in Search of a Hospitable Vision 29

Part I Christ 35

1 How to Do Christology 37

On the "Method" 37

Toward a More Dynamic Christology 42

2 "A Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word": Jesus' Ministry 52

Earthly Ministry in Theological Perspective 52

Teacher with Authority - and Parables 58

Miracle-Worker 61

3 Jesus in the Matrix of Diverse Global Contexts and Challenges 70

The Emergence of "Global" Testimonies to Christ 70

Rediscovery and Reconstruction of Titles of Jesus Christ 72

Christ as Ancestor 74

Jesus, the Liberation, and Empire 78

Christ and Empire 92

4 Messiah and the Kingdom 97

The Reconfiguration of the Messianic Hopes 97

Messianic Awareness 102

5 The Chalcedonian Tradition: A Horizon for Understanding Christ 106

The Liabilities and Problems of Chalcedonian Tradition 107

The Continuing Relative Value of the Christology of the Creeds 112

6 Resurrection and the Identity of Jesus Christ 119

Resurrection as the Confirmation of Jesus' Deity 119

Resurrection as Historical and Eschatological Metaphor 125

The Unity of Jesus Christ with Humanity 133

7 "The Word Became Flesh": Incarnation and Preexistence 142

The Divine Embodiment 143

Incarnation, Creation, and Humanity 148

Two "Natures" in One "Person" 155

He "Emptied Himself" 163

"Yet Was without Sin": Sinlessness 168

"He Came Down from Heaven": Preexistence 178

"Born of the Virgin Mary" 186

8 Jesus and Spirit: "Logos Christologies" and "Spirit Christologies" 196

The Tradition of Spirit Christology 196

Contemporary Spirit Christologies 200

An Integral Linking of Spirit and Christ 204

9 Contra Pluralism 210

Revisionist Interpretations of Incarnation 210

The Uniqueness of Christ Revisited 224

Liberation and Religious Pluralism 231

10 Jesus Christ among Religions 236

The Jewish Messiah - the Christian Messiah 238

Jesus in Light of Islamic Interpretations 250

Jesus and Buddha 265

Christ and Avatars 277

Part II Reconciliation 291

11 Atonement Traditions 294

Biblical Metaphors and Symbols 294

Historical Interpretations of Atonement 298

An Assessment of Atonement Traditions 307

12 Violence, Cross, and Atonement 315

Criticism against the Violent Notions of Atonement 315

Overcoming Violence 319

13 Toward a Contemporary Trinitarian Theology of Reconciliation 324

Many Metaphors of Reconciliation 324

Incarnation and Reconciliation 327

Suffering God and Crucified Messiah 331

Christ as Sacrifice and Our Representative 339

The Trinitarian Work of Salvation 345

Raised to New Life 353

Ascension, the Cosmic Rule, and Consummation of Salvation 357

14 Reconciliation as the Church's Mission in the World 364

Reconciliation and the Restoration of Relationships 364

Missionary Proclamation of the Gospel of Reconciliation 368

Reconciliation and Liberation 372

15 Christian Salvation among Religions 381

The Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the Nations 381

The Christian Theology of the Cross in Light of the Islamic Interpretation 388

Salvation and Savior in Buddhist Perspectives 394

The "Spiritualization" of Sacrifice in Hinduism 398

Epilogue: Continuing Methodological Miscellanea 404

Bibliography 408

Index of Authors 444

Index of Subjects 448