Paul Zahl on the Generous Genius of Jürgen Moltmann

Here is a conversation I recently shared with author and Episcopal priest Paul Zahl, the last overseas student of the late Jürgen Moltmann.

Here is the tribute PZ wrote for Christianity Today.

Show Notes

Summary

The conversation between Paul Zahl and Jason Micheli covers various topics, including Paul's trips to the Outer Hebrides and the North of Scotland, his recent trip to Germany for Jurgen Moltmann's funeral, and his experience studying under Moltmann at Tubingen. They discuss Moltmann's influence on Paul's work, his theology of liberation and hope, and his book 'The Crucified God'. They also touch on the changing expectations of funerals and the importance of personal and truthful services. In this conversation, Paul Zahl and Jason Micheli discuss the importance of funerals and the need to focus on the gospel rather than the individual being eulogized. They share their pet peeves about self-indulgent sermons and emphasize the importance of a brief, personal, and gospel-centered service. They also discuss the theology of Jürgen Moltmann and his belief in the sources of Trinitarian Christology. Zahl shares his personal experience of studying under Moltmann and the impact it had on his understanding of justification and the love of God for the ungodly. They also touch on the transition in Paul's letter to the Romans and the need to recognize the brokenness and lack of hope in the world before the gospel can truly be understood.

Takeaways

• Paul attended Jurgen Moltmann's funeral in Germany and wrote a moving tribute to him in Christianity Today.

• Paul studied under Moltmann at Tubingen and learned about his theology of liberation, theology of hope, and his book 'The Crucified God'.

• Funerals have changed over time, with a shift towards more personal and truthful services. Funerals should focus on the gospel rather than the individual being eulogized

• Self-indulgent sermons should be avoided, and the service should be brief, personal, and gospel-centered

• Jürgen Moltmann believed in the sources of Trinitarian Christology and rooted his theology in his own experiences of suffering

• The love of God is for the ungodly, and understanding this is key to grasping the gospel

• Recognizing the brokenness and lack of hope in the world is necessary before the gospel can truly be understood

Sound Bites

• "I was so terribly impressed by the extraordinary trips that you took with your family to the Outer Hebrides and the North of Scotland."

• "You are one of the voices associated with justification by faith. Jurgen Moltmann had a voluminous output of work."

• "I really wanted to do something new. I really wanted to study justification by faith."

• "I mean, you really wanted to stay, if this is a funeral, I'd rather go to, I don't know what."

• "We seldom invite the dead to their own funerals."

• "The sermon was pure gospel, pure gospel."