Theology of the Pain of God

by Kazoh Kitamori, Anri Morimoto (Foreword by)

Overview

Until the twentieth century, the Western world formulated most Christian theology. Fully grounded in this tradition, Kazoh Kitamori demonstrates its limitations and problems from a Japanese point of view and suggests a fresh approach to the biblical message. Dr. Katamori has developed the first original theology from the East. The gospel is the gospel of the cross, he says. God loves the objects of his wrath. What is revealed in the cross is neither the wrath of God alone nor the love of God alone, but the synthesis of the two. The author's purpose is to clarify this synthesis, identified as the pain of God. By the theology of the pain of God, he means the theology of love rooted in the pain of God. He brings a new interpretation to this central theme of the Christian faith. Today, Christian thinkers are calling for an ecumenical theology. By helping to renew the faith even as he seeks to reformulate it in non-Western terms, Dr. Kitamori takes an important step toward expanding the dialogue between Christians of the East and West.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781597522564
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	06/10/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	5.56(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.42(d)

About the Author

Kazoh Kitamori, one of the most original Christian thinkers in Japan, was Professor of Systematic Theology at Tokyo Union Theological Seminary. His other books include Shingaku Nyumon (Layman's Guide to Theology), Taiwa no Shingaku (Theology of Dialogue), and Shukyo Kaikaku no Shingaku (Theology of the Reformation).

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The theology of Kitamori is the first attempt to make suffering an attribute of God in contrast to the orthodox idea of the happiness of God, which is rather an idea of Platonic philosophy than of the New Testament gospel."
— Emil Brunner
Author of Christianity and Civilization

"Kitamori has discerned 'suffering' the common term that links God, the Christian faith, and Japanese existence. Motifs from Luther's theology of the cross and Buddhist sensitivities bring to light elements in the Christian faith often coated over by Reformed, Western, and Old Testament emphases."
— Carl Michalson
Author of The Rationality of Faith

"The two-way conversation between the older churches of the West and the younger churches in Asia is strengthended by the appearance of Dr. Kitamori's book."
— J. Harry Haines
World Council of Churches

"This book presents the first significant communication of authentic, first-rate Japanese theology to the West. It should be pounced on, with keen attention, by anyone looking for 'fresh word' from the East."

— Terrence N. Tice
World Presbyterian Alliance

Editorial Reviews

The theology of Kitamori is the first attempt to make suffering an attribute of God in contrast to the orthodox idea of the happiness of God, which is rather an idea of Platonic philosophy than of the New Testament gospel.
-- Emil Brunner
Author of Christianity and Civilization

Kitamori has discerned 'suffering' the common term that links God, the Christian faith, and Japanese existence. Motifs from Luther's theology of the cross and Buddhist sensitivities bring to light elements in the Christian faith often coated over by Reformed, Western, and Old Testament emphases.
-- Carl Michalson
Author of The Rationality of Faith

The two-way conversation between the older churches of the West and the younger churches in Asia is strengthended by the appearance of Dr. Kitamori's book.
-- J. Harry Haines
World Council of Churches

This book presents the first significant communication of authentic, first-rate Japanese theology to the West. It should be pounced on, with keen attention, by anyone looking for 'fresh word' from the East.

-- Terrence N. Tice
World Presbyterian Alliance

From the Publisher