Eberhard Jüngel: An Introduction to his Theology

by John B. Webster

This book is the first introduction in any language to the work of Eberhard Jungel, who increasingly is recognised as one of the leading contemporary Protestant German theologians. It furnishes a comprehensive survey of his work as New Testament scholar, systematic theologian and philosopher, focusing particularly on his discussions of theological and religious language, the role of Christology, the doctrines of God and man, and questions of natural theology. Some initial evaluations of Jungel's theology are offered in the light of other current traditions of theology and philosophy, both English and German.

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 23, 1986

About the author

Professor John B. Webster, MA, PhD, DD, FRSE was a notable contemporary British theologian of the Anglican communion writing in the area of systematic, historical and moral theology. He was educated at the independent co-educational Bradford Grammar School and at the University of Cambridge.

See also: John Webster

Image: Drawn by Rachel Nigh

Reviews

[Daniel Rempel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Jüngel’s early work, but I wonder if Webster’s critique gets in the way of the substance of the introduction a bit.

[David Goetz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Occasionally theologically illuminating and often instructive on Webster's early-career concerns and influences. Still a good introduction to Jungel, as far as I can tell, but unless you're very interested in Jungel himself or in Webster's development, you can skip this one.

Webster identifies a two-fold foundation for Jungel's thought: "an affirmation of the universal significance of the history of Jesus Christ, and of the natural order as authentic and relatively autonomous" (128). He suggests Jungel's theology could be improved, or enriched, or deepened by more attention to "the imperatival aspect of grace" (138) and also by "some attempt to describe how the indicative is transformed into a chosen policy by a human agent" (139), i.e., by "analysis of moral deliberation."

Human agency sub specie divinitatis was clearly a major, even driving, concern of Webster's from the start of his career. He seems to have drunk perhaps too deeply from Jungel--along with Barth--and to have struggled, as a consequence, to affirm the absolute prevenience of God and the indicative of grace while also affirming and describing the imperatival aspect of grace and the genuine human struggle for maturity in Christ. He affirmed the reality of that struggle throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, but he seems not to have found a way to describe it until he started imbibing Thomas and the post-Reformation Protestant scholastics. I look forward to tracing this development and these influences further.

"Truth does not yield immediate satisfaction. The way to truth can be frustrating" (3). "Thinking is measured by the object of thinking" (8). "The Christian faith ... is first and foremost ... the transformation of the world of persons" (51). "Thinking is the shape which human intellectual activity assumes under the pressure of external reality" (52). "A way of knowing which is repentant" (55). "God rather than man is the questioner: man cannot be extracted from the position of subsequence" (59). "The dual task of theology consists in leaving behind the alternative of an unchristian theism on the one hand and an unchristian atheism on the other" (81). "Theology evades its peculiar responsibility whenever it strays from its Christological base" (84). "Sin is the godless drive toward relationlessness" (86). "The refusal of 'pure externality' is made to release man from dominance by works, so setting him in a proper relation to his works as the subsequent expression of his person and not the struggle for its realisation" (100). "Freedom is freedom from the drive to establish the self through works which is the antithesis of passive receptivity towards God's justifying word" (111). "Sin ... is only a positive historical force insofar as 'under the appearance of being the sinner celebrates nothingness'" (114).

[Sooho Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s clear and good with some substantial criticism. I share Webster’s enthusiasm and reserve: there’s something quite intriguing about Jüngel and the force of his theology, but the force does, at times, feel forced.

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jungel is dense, but Webster is a good guide.

Probably not of interest if you're not interested in Webster or in Jungel. But it helps explain some things that Webster sees as interesting/important in other places.

A bonus is that Webster doesn't just summarize. He tries to get at the reasons that Jungel has for what he holds, and he also gives critiques and alternatives for some of Jungel's ideas. It is refreshing to read a rather straightforward summary with brief critiques/suggestions, which exemplifies charity without sacrificing criticality. It is also neat to see Webster very directly critique a position (which he does not often do).

[Joel Forsell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't say I have read very much of Jüngel, but from what I have read, I would recommend his own writings any day compared to this rather dry introduction. Webster (in my opinion) has a way of making an interesting thinker uninteresting, which is sad. Still, I guess the book is of interest if you want to read Jüngel in relation to wider theological discussions, not to speak of that there aren't any other introductions to his thought out there.