Understanding the 'Imago Dei' The Thought of Barth, von Balthasar and Moltmann

As theologians across confessional divides try to say something significant about human dignity in our contemporary society, there is fresh interest in the ancient Christian doctrine that the human being is created in the 'imago Dei'. Theology is grounding responsibility for others and for the world around us in this common vision that the human being's infinite horizon lies in a divine calling and destiny. Robinson examines the 'imago Dei' debate through three giants of twentieth century theology - Karl Barth, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and JÃ?rgen Moltmann. This is placed against a survey of the principle developments and distinctions relating to the doctrine in the history of Christian thought, which in itself will be valuable for all students of Theology. A fresh analysis of ecumenical contributions places the development of the doctrine in the context of the ongoing process of ecumenical dialogue on the dignity of the human person, with special reference to this theme in the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est. Whilst 'imago Dei' is the focus of this book, Robinson invites the reader to see its relevance to theology as a whole on a specifically ecumenical canvas, and relates directly to more general areas of theological anthropology, grace, salvation, and the relationship between God and the world.

Contents: Introduction; Imago Dei: the historico-theological background; Karl Barth; Hans Urs von Balthasar; Jürgen Moltmann; Concluding relections: broader horizons; Bibliography; Glossary; Index.

Born in Lancaster in 1967, Dominic Robinson entered the Society of Jesus in 1991, and was ordained a priest in 2002. He studied Theology at St Mary's College, University of St Andrews, Heythrop College, University of London, Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and researched his doctorate at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. He has also studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics, at Campion Hall, Oxford. He is currently Lecturer in Dogmatic Theology at Heythrop College, University of London, and works in adult religious education in the Archdiocese of Westminster.