ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book concerns Christological discussion of how the opposites of being in the world have been transformed by the crucified and risen Christ, against the backdrop of the biblical story where God's final salvation is understood as new life out of the abyss of death. It highlights the inadequacy of the notion of 'surrendered attributes' in relation to the mystery of God's kenotic self-emptying in event of Jesus Christ. Jurgen Moltmann stresses that every life remains indissolubly 'before God' and that entry into finality of eternal life involves the totality of one's personal history being reconciled, rectified, healed and completed by the grace of the all-merciful God. The book focuses on Karl Rahner, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Karl Barth, Eberhard Jungel and Jurgen Moltmann, because their theological writings represent the richest sources for the development of a Christian theology of death.
