My theological work was always only a superstructure placed upon the experiences and sufferings of my life... Helmut Thielicke Thielicke''s story is one of extraordinary circumstance. As a young man living through Germany''s darkest hour, he was time and again put on the brink of death by sickness, Nazi oppression, and war, and these experiences left an indelible mark on his worldview. Fabian F. Grassl''s thoroughly researched study takes a fresh and original look at Thielicke''s turbulent life through the lens of suffering and death, casting new light on one of the outstanding theologians, ethicists, and preachers of the twentieth century. The reader is invited to explore a world of thought decidedly shaped by the ''eschatological existence'' of an intriguing personality; a flawed human being like the rest of us, yet endowed with a fascinating theological prowess, taking his stand amongst Germany''s major historical upheavals of the last centenary.

My theological work was always only a superstructure placed upon the experiences and sufferings of my life... Helmut Thielicke Thielicke's story is one of extraordinary circumstance. As a young man living through Germany's darkest hour, he was time and again put on the brink of death by sickness, Nazi oppression, and war, and these experiences left an indelible mark on his worldview. Fabian F. Grassl's thoroughly researched study takes a fresh and original look at Thielicke's turbulent life through the lens of suffering and death, casting new light on one of the outstanding theologians, ethicists, and preachers of the twentieth century. The reader is invited to explore a world of thought decidedly shaped by the 'eschatological existence' of an intriguing personality; a flawed human being like the rest of us, yet endowed with a fascinating theological prowess, taking his stand amongst Germany's major historical upheavals of the last centenary.

Foreword by Timothy J. Wengert Foreword by Wolfram Thielicke Acknowledgments Key to Primary Source Abbreviations Introduction Part I Life Chapter 1 Setting the Stage: Thielicke's Biography as Key to His Theology Chapter 2 Existence in the Face of Death: Thielicke's Childhood and Sickness as Key to His Theology Chapter 3 Existence in a Culture of Death: Thielicke's Experiences during the Nazi Regime as Key to His Theology Part II Theology Chapter 4 The Lutheran Way: Thielicke's Conversion and Thought in Historical Context Chapter 5 The Pneumatic Theologian: The Spirit's Regenerative Work as Theological Starting Point Chapter 6 The Triune God: Divine Personhood and the Origin of Evil Chapter 7 The Crucified God: Borderline Situations and the Cross of Christ Part III Proclamation Chapter 8 Orator sub specie existentiae: The Making of a Preacher Man in a Culture of Death Chapter 9 Homo sub specie malis: Pastoral Challenges in the Face of Death Chapter 10 Homo sub specie aeternitatis: The Pastoral Commission in the Face of Death Conclusion Bibliography Index of Names Index of Scripture Passages