Waiting for Gospel, by Douglas John Hall

Chapter 6 – The Theology of the Cross

God bless Douglas John Hall…but this had to be one of the most arduous essays he’s ever written.  It’s brilliant, of course, but entirely too lengthy, complex…and needlessly short on common vernacular.  I’m reducing this chapter to its basic points so we can attempt to digest the valuable theological nuggets buried deep within Hall’s eloquent, yet rambling, dissertation.  Uff da!

1.  Hall offers two preliminary observations.  First, Martin Luther championed the term, “theology of the cross,” and contrasted it with a “theology of glory.”  Second, Luther’s considerable thoughts and contributions are valuable, not only for their historical significant, but for their contemporary role, as well.  Hall directs his interest toward this second observation and application of Luther’s theology.  

What do you know of Martin Luther as an historical figure, and what do you see as his contributions to our present context?

2.  Hall sees the theology of the cross as having a “usable past.”  In seeking to frame the term, he notes it “refers to a spirit and method that one brings to all one’s reflections on all the various areas and facets of Christian life and faith.”  It cannot be stated concisely in a formula, but it can be recognized in various theological expressions.  

Briefly (ha!) review his “informing principles of this theology.”  How does each inform our faith?

- The first is “the compassion and solidarity of God.” 

- The second is “the cross as world commitment.” 

- The third is “honesty about experience (Christian realism)”

- The fourth is “the contextual character of this theology.”

- The fifth is “the refusal of finality.”

3.  Hall concludes with his meditation on the three Pauline virtues: faith, love, and hope…and how they effectively address the opposite of each within the theology of the cross.  

How do we, as Lutherans, embrace and promote these virtues in our context?