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Jürgen Moltmann's Doctrine of the Image of God examines the doctrine of the Image of God in the interpretation of contemporary theologian Jürgen Moltmann. A Reformed theologian from Germany, Moltmann espouses the doctrine in a way that creates a blurring of the Creator-creation distinction. This work identifies the problem with Moltmann's formulation of the doctrine of the image of God as stemming from Moltmann's rejection of classical theism or monotheism. He replaces it with the notion of transcendental immanence, together with Trinitarian pantheism, accentuated by means of Hegelian dialectics in alignment with Eastern Orthodox perspectives of the Trinity. Moltmann, therefore, makes the Trinity the foundation of all theologies, and, accordingly, understands the Imago Dei as the Imago Trinitatis. As a result, Moltmann blurs the Creator-creation distinction.
According to the Scriptures however, the Image of God denotes elements of similarity between the divine and human beings. The Image of God is first allocated in an individual and by extension includes the entire global community. In addition, the biblical idea of Christ as the true image, the soteriological understanding of believers as beings in union with Christ, and the theological idea of covenant all express similar thoughts. Within this outlook, human beings reflect the divine without the divine needing to be joined to human beings.
About the author
Isaiah Nengean is an adjunct professor of Philosophy, Theology, and Religion at Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa, and also teaches at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC Urban Campus). In addition, he serves as the Director of Outreach Ministries at the Meredith Drive Reformed Church, also in Des Moines. Dr. Nengean is the author of The Role of Eschatology in the Theology of John Calvin.
Summary
The Imago Dei as the Imago Trinitatis: Jurgen Moltmann's Doctrine of the Image of God examines the doctrine of the Image of God in the interpretation of contemporary theologian Jurgen Moltmann.
Report
«Nengean is to be commended for raising a dissenting voice in the midst of numerous Moltmann supporters. He argues cogently from a traditional Reformed perspective, but also demonstrates that he is conversant with current Moltmann studies. Nengean's approach is even-handed and, at times, supportive. Yet he insists without apology that Moltmann's thinking must be analyzed and interpreted for what it is, rather than being embraced simply because of Moltmann's stature in the theological world. For his assessment, we should be grateful.» (Ben D. Craver, Theological Book Review 26.1, 2014)
