A THEOLOGY OF HUMAN HOPE

The ""theology of human hope"" of the title refers not to a ""new theology,"" but to a new language one which a few groups of Christians are now attempting to learn: the language of faith, in the context of commitment to human freedom. After defining and investigating the content of both terms, the author is able to sketch the elements of this language: It is essentially historical, being concerned with revelation as history; as such, its function is to ""footnote the events which provide...the possibilities of human liberation amid history""; it represents a secular, rather than a divine process, in which no present is final; it is an expression of imagination, rather than being purely descriptive, since it is able to transcend the present and to translate facts into values. This work is one of critical evaluation and, to a less extent, of synthesis, rather than one of original hypothesis. It it, nonetheless, a considerable achievement, in that it provides the basis for a theoretical reconciliation of faith and freedom within a humanistic framework. Both theologians and philosophers will find it of interest.