Hope

The article responds to the other contributions and in doing so sets out reasons why hope is an issue for theology. Noting the intrinsic ambiguity of hope, the article focusses on the biblical testimony to hope found in the prophets and in the New Testament. Paul’s hope had a significant role in shaping the modern philosophical view of time, as in Heidegger, Tillich and other 20th century thinkers such as Michael Theunissen. In an age that believes itself competent to manage the future but, in attempting to do, generates new individual and social neuroses, hope is required for sober reflection on human limits as well as sustaining openness to the future.