Does the concept of hope have meaning when considering man’s future? A positive response to this question forms the cornerstone of three significant theological viewpoints: the theology of hope, process theology, and the thought of Teilhard de Chardin. In 1971, a lively dialogue took place in New York concerning the influence of hope today, as well as its role for models of the future. This volume makes available the presentations and reactions which made this symposium so noteworthy.
John B. Cobb, Jr., analyzes the meaning of the future in process theology. Philip Hefner takes a Teilhardian perspective of our understanding of the future.
Carl E. Braaten examines symbols of the future—utopian and eschatological.
Wolfhart Pannenberg discusses human unity and God’s kingdom.
Jürgen Moltmann explores the influence of biomedical progress on man. Johannes Metz examines the future as politically and socially problematic.
Here also are the responses—both challenging and favorable—made by Joseph Sittler, Lewis Ford, Daniel Day Williams, Schubert Ogden, Christopher Mooney, and Donald Gray. Ewert Cousins introduces the essays by explaining the purposes of the conference and the issues under discussion.
These essays are brief and easy to follow. The caliber of the speakers and the combination of different theological approaches make this an unusual and intriguing volume for student, layman, and scholar alike.