The Spirit, Hermeneutics, and Dialogues

The second half of the 20th century witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm for

inner-Christian ecumenical dialogue as well as Christian-Jewish dialogue.

However, at the time of the transition from the 20th to the 21st century

the dialogues were marked by disillusionment and disappointment due to the

fact that not enough progress was experienced with regard to concrete

everyday issues. Moreover theoretical points of disagreement remained

obstacles for a real mutual understanding, the major ones being the

interpretation of certain Biblical passages (esp. John 14:6 and 15:26) and

their implications for Christology and the theology of the Trinity. This

book explores new hermeneutics for renewed dialogues. To use a metaphor

found in the book, the contributions of this volume are suggesting new

songs with regard to the dialogues by proposing a future-oriented

hermeneutics and a shift from an exclusive focus on Christology to

including Pneumatology and thus the doctrine of the Trinity. By so doing

the authors and editors intend to offer a new impetus and a new

elan in Roman Catholic-Eastern Orthodox as well as Christian-Jewish

dialogues. The co-authors of this book contribute pneumatological

hermeneutical insights from their respective Protestant, (Christian)

Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Jewish perspectives.