A Comparative Study of Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan and J. Moltmann's Theology of Suffering

ABSTRACT

[Objective] The purpose of this study is to compare and examine three topics related to the problem of suffering, focusing on the theology of suffering developed by Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan and Jürgen Moltmann. [Contents] While Cardinal Kim believed that those who suffer innocently can hope even in their suffering because of the reward of eternal life, Moltmann found the basis of this hope in the eschatological perspective confirmed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ who died on the cross. Cardinal Kim emphasized that God’s omnipotence is a concept that respects the natural order and guarantees the freedom for humans to respond to God’s love. Moltmann believed that by theologically examining the identity of the Trinity God in the ‘cross of Jesus,’ we can see that God reveals himself as ‘the One who suffers in our suffering.’ Both of them emphasized the importance of practicing love toward marginalized neighbors. But Moltmann insisted that the experience of God’s presence in suffering must precede the practice of love. [Conclusions] First, the theology of suffering developed by Cardinal Kim and Moltmann discovers the possibility of hope even in suffering through the eschatological perspective of the completion of the kingdom of God. Second, through the event of the cross that clearly revealed the unconditional love of Jesus Christ for humanity, we can now understand God as the One who suffers with us in suffering. Third, the hope for a future eschatology and the experience of God’s love in suffering enable us to anticipate the kingdom of God by solidarizing with social suffering, and to testify to God’s love experienced in suffering.