Spirit and salvation /
Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen.
- xvii, 498 pages ; 23 cm.
- A constructive Christian theology for the pluralistic world ; volume 4 .
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Part I. Spirit. Introduction : in search of a plural, holistic pneumatology ; The spirit of the triune God ; The spirit in creation ; The cosmic spirit and powers ; Discerning the Holy Spirit among religions ; The public spirit and solidarity of others -- Part II. Salvation. From ordo salutis to a salutary communion ; Visions of 'salvation' and liberation among religions ; The divine favor and invitation for eternal fellowship ; (Re-)turning to God : and to the neighbor ; One with God : rightwising, renewal, and integrity of life ; Healing, restoration, and empowerment ; Reconciliation, liberation, and peacebuilding ; Epilogue : the faithfulness of God and the end of human yearning.
This fourth volume in Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen's ambitious five volume systematic theology develops a constructive Christian pneumatology and soteriology in dialogue with the Christian tradition, with contemporary theology in all its global and contextual diversity, and with other major living faiths -- Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Kärkkäinen constructs a wide and deep theology of the Holy Spirit, examining creation and the sciences, other cosmic powers and beings, the concepts of spirits in other religions, and the Spirit's place in society and politics. He also goes beyond traditional ways of understanding salvation -- election, forgiveness, justification, sanctification, and glorification -- and includes discussions of Spirit-baptism, healing and restoration, reconciliation, liberation, and peace-building, carefully comparing Christian perspectives with the salvific views of other religions.