The Self-Giving God and Salvation History: The Trinitarian Theology Of Johannes Von Hofmann: 1 - Softcover

'a very fine piece of historical theology.' - Theodore Vial, Biblica--Sanford Lakoff "Heilsgeschichte is the one German word every student of theology learns. Here Matthew Becker introduces us to the father of the "history of salvation" way of thinking that Oscar Cullmann popularized in Christ and Time. An added bonus is Becker's surprising thesis that, contrary to common opinion, trinitarian theology was alive and well in the nineteenth century, prior to its alleged rebirth in the dogmatics of Karl Barth." -The Rev. Dr. Carl E. Braaten, Executive Director, Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology--Sanford Lakoff

Hofmann (1810-1877) was one of the most significant theologians of the 19th century and perhaps the century's most influential Lutheran theologian. Matthew L. Becker introduces us to Hofmann's trinitarian view of God. According to Hofmann, God freely chose to give himself out of divine love. Becker's book centers on Hofmann's understanding of history. In Hofmann's trinitarian kenosis, the eternal God has become historical by self-emptying God's self into Jesus. For Hofmann, world history can only be understood within the historical self-giving of the triune God who is love. Thus, for Hofmann all of history is salvation-history, a kind of history that embraces and fulfills God's purposes in the world.

Matthew L. Becker is a Professor of Theology at Concordia University, Portland, Oregon. An ordained Lutheran minister, Dr. Becker has served congregations in Chicago and Orgegon. He is a co-editor of God Opens Doors, a history of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in the Pacific Northwest.