Jurgen Moltmann focuses on a basic theme from his own Lutheran tradition, namely, the theology of the cross, and elucidates its many aspects in typical German style and thoroughness. Like Luther, he recognizes that our natural inclinations would be to find God in a palace as a royal king in all power and splendor instead of as a baby in a cow stall or a convict hanging on a cross. However, the paradox of the Christian faith is that the deity of God is revealed in the cross, in suffering and shame. Though many accuse Moltmann of faddism in extracting liberation theology from the motif of the cross, I feel this book represents a masterpiece in analyzing a theme in its historical and theological context at the same time its radical contemporary applications are set forth.
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