Wolfhart Pannenberg

Introduction In Chapters 12, 13, and 14, Pannenberg presents his theology of the church, or Ecclesiology. The Nicaean Creed presents the marks of the church as its unity, holiness, apostolicity, and catholicity. In light of the obvious diversity and weakness of the church, theologians wrestle with how we, in our time and place, can still affirm this portion of the creed. He will also interact throughout these chapters with Vatican II and official ecumenical texts regarding the church, doctrine, ministry, and sacraments. The New Testament also offers several images or themes that provided the basis for theological reflection. In Paul, the foundation of the church is Jesus Christ and a favorite emphasis is the church as the body of Christ. Luke presents the church in its origin and continuing growth as occurring in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We can see a similar emphasis in the Gospel of John. Holding together the Son and Spirit in terms of the history and functi...

In Chapter 6, Pannenberg discusses the unity and attributes of the divine essence, continuing his theological concern of identifying God as Christians understand God. At the close of this discussion, I will have a brief reference to his use of one of his other books. Karl Barth discusses the reality of God in Church Dogmatics Chapter 6, Volume II.I. He will also discuss what it means for God to act, to act freely, and to act freely as one who loves. After discussing the perfections of God, he will discuss the perfections of divine loving in contrasting terms: grace and holiness, mercy and righteousness, patience and wisdom. He will also discuss perfections of the divine freedom in contrasting terms: unity and omnipresence, constancy and omnipotence, eternity and glory. Paul Tillich discusses the reality of God in Volume I of his Systematic Theology. He will discuss God as ultimate concern. He will discuss the actuality of God as Being itself, as living, as creating in originating, s...