Jesus Abba - by John B Cobb (Hardcover)

About the Book

The delay of the Parousiathe anticipated return of Christis an issue that has troubled theology since the late writings of the New Testament. This volume, arising from the Oxford Postdoctoral Colloquium on Eschatology, offers a constructive proposal on this issue in a truly interdisciplinary manner. Collaboratively written by a cohort of ecumenical scholars in systematics, historical theology, and biblical studies, the project engages in careful, critical biblical exegesis and offers an apophatic and constructive theological account of the deferral and certainty of Christs second coming.

Book Synopsis

The church has emphasized ideas about God that have marginalized Jesus understanding of his spiritual Father, his Abba. We commonly think of God as a demanding lawgiver and judge, an omnipotent ruler, or an ultimate philosophical principle. None of these works well today.

In contrast, Jesus view of God as spiritual Abba still truly works when it is given a chance. Christians should be open to accepting the ideas of the one they call Lord and Savior. In Jesus Abba, one of the greatest theologians of this generation boldly argues for a new view of God, through the eyes of Jesus.

John B. Cobb Jr. interprets the whole of Jesus life and ministry, and death and resurrection, in light of Jesus understanding of God. He also shows that Paul shared this understanding and that it played a central role in Pauls churches. Ultimately, Cobb argues that Jesus view of God fits our actual experience today, that it is supported by the evidence of the sciences, and that it encourages appreciative learning from other wisdom traditions and cooperation with them in redeeming the world.

With this book, John B. Cobb Jr. makes his ultimate and most impassioned plea for us to rediscover God through Jesus.