The Source of Life: The Holy Spirit and the Theology of Life

by Jürgen Moltmann, Margaret Kohl (Translator)

Directly, simply, and forcefully, Jrgen Moltmann here presents his reflections on the Spirit and the spiritual life that were the essence of his prior book, The Spirit of Life . In this short, accessible work, he combines a deep personal faith with admirable learning and experience. Moltmann views the Holy Spirit as the power of new life, which enlivens body and soul, spirit and mind. In the Holy Spirit we experience the presence of God, community among people, as well as between humans and all created living things on earth. Beginning with his experiences as a prisoner of war, Moltmann anchors his reflections in a theology of lifeand the Spirit as renewer of lifewhich ties biblical perspectives to contemporary manifestations, hope to holiness, creation to community, and spirituality to prayer. Moltmann at his best, this little theology stimulates the experience of the Holy Spirit in one's own life.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Jürgen Moltmann is a German Reformed theologian. He is the 2000 recipient of the Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Religion.

Moltmann's Theology of Hope is a theological perspective with an eschatological foundation and focuses on the hope that the resurrection brings. Through faith we are bound to Christ, and as such have the hope of the resurrected Christ ("Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3, NIV)), and knowledge of his return. For Moltmann, the hope of the Christian faith is hope in the resurrection of Christ crucified. Hope and faith depend on each other to remain true and substantial; and only with both may one find "not only a consolation in suffering, but also the protest of the divine promise against suffering."

However, because of this hope we hold, we may never exist harmoniously in a society such as ours which is based on sin. When following the Theology of Hope, a Christian should find hope in the future but also experience much discontentment with the way the world is now, corrupt and full of sin. Sin bases itself in hopelessness, which can take on two forms: presumption and despair. "Presumption is a premature, selfwilled anticipation of the fulfillment of what we hope for from God. Despair is the premature, arbitrary anticipation of the non-fulfillment of what we hope for from God."

In Moltmann's opinion, all should be seen from an eschatological perspective, looking toward the days when Christ will make all things new. "A proper theology would therefore have to be constructed in the light of its future goal. Eschatology should not be its end, but its beginning." This does not, as many fear, 'remove happiness from the present' by focusing all ones attention toward the hope for Christ's return. Moltmann addresses this concern as such: "Does this hope cheat man of the happiness of the present? How could it do so! For it is itself the happiness of the present." The importance of the current times is necessary for the Theology of Hope because it brings the future events to the here and now. This theological perspective of eschatology makes the hope of the future, the hope of today.

Hope strengthens faith and aids a believer into living a life of love, and directing them toward a new creation of all things. It creates in a believer a "passion for the possible" "For our knowledge and comprehension of reality, and our reflections on it, that means at least this: that in the medium of hope our theological concepts become not judgments which nail reality down to what it is, but anticipations which show reality its prospects and its future possibilities." This passion is one that is centered around the hope of the resurrected and the returning Christ, creating a change within a believer and drives the change that a believer seeks make on the world.

For Moltmann, creation and eschatology depend on one another. There exists an ongoing process of creation, continuing creation, alongside creation ex nihilo and the consummation of creation. The consummation of creation will consist of the eschatological transformation of this creation into the new creation. The apocalypse will include the purging of sin from our finite world so that a transformed humanity can participate in the new creation.

Reviews

[Drick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a series of sermons, and shorter meditations based on some of Moltmann's more substantive work on the Holy Spirit. In many ways it is pretty standard evangelical stuff, except he is a robust view of the immanence of God (God in the midst of life) that is worth the book and hoepfully expanded on in his more academic works.

[Austin Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal favorites:

“We are God’s dream for his world... God is restless in his Spirit until he finds rest in us and in his world.” (41)

Re: conservatio mundi, creatio continua: “God preserves those he has created for their perfecting... Every act that preserves creation from annihilation is an act of hope for its future... every sunrise a prelude to the new creation.” (119)


“We see a completely different way of praying among the adoring early Christian figures depicted in the catacombs in Rome and Naples. They are standing upright, heads raised and eyes open. Their arms are stretched above their heads, their hands open, palms upwards. It is the attitude of a great expectation and loving readiness to receive and embrace. The people who in this posture open themselves for God are free... (129) We shall then feel how differently [the Lord’s prayer] is interpreted through different postures. Isn’t the adoring posture the body language that interprets them best? ... How can the body be a ‘temple of the Holy Spirit’ if it is frozen into rigidity and is not permitted to move any more?” (131)

[Vaughn Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about hope in the midst of hopeless situations and wrestling to find God's blessing in real life. Moltmann's transparent and vulnerable sharing allows the reader to see the hope of resurrection found in Christ and the discontentment experienced by those who are already in Christ, yet in our fallen world. He shows how the wrestling often brings both a permanent blessing and a temporary limp.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The length of this book is deceptive as its contents are theologically rich and need to be studied and examined with a fine tooth comb. If it’s possible to study with a small group, that would even be better, especially as Moltmann breaks his sermons into smaller sections that warrant to be studied.

[Cameron Coombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically a more popular-level version of *Spirit of Life*, though with some new material. There is some repetition, but that doesn't matter so much as the two works are aimed at different audiences.

[Robbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is very academic. Glad I read it with a discussion group.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of fresh air.

[Tristan Sherwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great thoughts from Moltmann 👏

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful book on theology. His conversion story is powerful.

[David Allgyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and inspiring read. At several points directly contradicts scripture unapologetically.

[Telly · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took a lot to get through this book. As someone who is interested in spirituality, I found it interesting -- and it did give me much to think about during and after reading it. On the other hand, as someone who is not a theologian, I may have bit off more than I can chew. Moltmann's style is extremely academic and, at times, haughty. I did not always have the sense that he is speaking clearly or directly. There were numerous references to issues, matters, and subjects that only a theologian would understand. If you read it and you are not a theologian, I recommend keeping a dictionary and encyclopedia nearby. You will need them.

The takeaway for me was that Moltmann presents an alternative Christianity that no longer gets much exposure: A less conservative and more caring Christianity. He talks about caring for the environment, for example, and, in a sense, how Christianity's message of "there is always enough" was a cornerstone of "communism," note little "c." What he means by that is the caring and generosity that comes with Christianity's followers. I enjoyed the book's insights into this alternative belief in and interpretation of Christianity.

I should note that Moltmann fought in Hitler's army and was a prisoner of war in England and Scotland. It was during this time that he found his faith; previously, he had been atheist or agnostic (I couldn't tell which). Many of the essays relate back to this experience in his youth and the tragedy and guilt he experienced when returning to a war-torn Germany. I suppose, in that regard, the ultimate impression of and take away from this book is that anyone can stumble upon grace -- and I believe that is what Moltmann is trying to share through his own experience and through the urgent sense of hopefulness that he has for the future.

[Bob Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Source of Life is by far one of the most accessible Jurgen Moltmann books I have read. In it, Moltman offers his views on the Spirit, the Church, the environment and the world.

Moltmann is one of those theologians I have an interesting relationship with: I disagree with a lot of his conclusions and decisions, but he does have a great deal of insight into the world and the faith.

Moltmann was a POW after WW2 when he became a Christian (after an Army Chaplain gave him a bible), and he writes about this in the opening section of this book. This experience, more than any other, seems to have shaped his theology. Understanding the devastation caused by his people and the war in general, and yet understanding God's love and potential, led Moltmann to develop his own Theology of Hope.

Other articles deal with Moltmann's views such as the Holy Spirit, with a surprisingly positive evaluation of modern Pentecostal movements. He writes about ecology and the future of the world as well as a very positive view of Christian communism.

The main thrust of a positive critique of Moltmann is that he understands the gospel is for every aspect of life. We may be able to disagree with his individual conclusions, but he does raise powerful questions about who we are as Christians and where we should go.

I highly recommend this book for pastors, theologians, and serious Christians.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've become a big Moltmann fan. This book is easier to read than some of his other theological books, and includes a chapter that describes his experiences in an Allied POW camp.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and accessible book. I recommend it to everyone.