Theologians link hope of Resurrection to contemporary problems

Published: 2005-06-20

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- Theologians from across the United States gathered in St. Louis June 9-12 to explore how belief in the hope brought by Christ's resurrection intersects with such contemporary problems as war, poverty, racism and violence. The 2005 convention of the Catholic Theological Society of America, attended by more than 450 people, marked the 60th anniversary of the society. Roberto S. Goizueta, a professor of theology at Boston College and outgoing president of the society, said in a June 12 address that when confronted with "the sheer destructiveness of which we human beings are capable," many people "can only find the figure of Christ and his message at best quaint or irrelevant, at worst a cruel hoax." "Oh, we might answer 'yes' on those surveys that ask us if we believe in God, but our burgeoning weapons stockpiles, xenophobic immigration laws, compulsive consumerism, widespread chronic depression, and addictions of all kinds all suggest a very different belief, a very different answer to the question, 'Do you believe in God?'" he said. Goizueta said Jesus' appearance to the apostles in the upper room following his resurrection has much to say to modern-day Christians. "The disciples had probably assumed that, now that Jesus was dead, they could put the past behind them, chalk it up to a misguided idealism, and go on to live the lives of good, upstanding fishermen, tax collectors, etc.," he said. "A little, perhaps, like those of us who have been able to put behind us the failed ideals and hopes of the 1960s and move on to become successful investment bankers, lawyers, entrepreneurs and college professors. However, all of a sudden, into that seemingly secure room walks Jesus himself to remind his friends of that troubling past, to prick consciences that had just begun to find some equilibrium," he added.

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