The Revolutionary Gospel provides a timely collection for theologians already interested in Paul Lehmann’s distinctive theological ethic and for a generation of readers less familiar with his work. This volume invites us to read Lehmann’s work through the intercultural lenses of world Christianity, with heightened attention to indigeneity and context. That Lehmann understood God’s actions in the world as revolutionary and humanizing made his work attractive to a generation of thinkers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America forging their own revolutionary theologies in the late 20th century. His insights remain dynamic in those contexts and may impact questions to be asked as Christians act responsibly in today’s world.

Raimundo César Barreto, Jr., Princeton Theological Seminary

This collection of essays, lectures, and correspondence from Paul Lehmann spans some 50 years. Thoughtfully gathered by Nancy J. Duff, Ry Siggelkow, and Brandon K. Watson, it affords a panoramic view of Lehmann’s uniquely theological ethical vision. Educated by the leading lights of his own generation, including Reinhold Niebuhr, Emil Brunner, Karl Barth, and influenced by his close friend, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the ethical task for Lehmann was not primarily speculative thought, but practical action. Hence, Lehmann subordinates a prudential wisdom that would ratify the status quo, to a prophetic vision that would continually seek to discern what God is up to in the world. Lehmann sees this biblical vision as revolutionary because it calls to account all established power before the living God. This vision is also revolutionary because it declares the gospel of God’s inbreaking revelation in and through Jesus Christ as actually taking place amid the confusing currents of political, cultural, and intellectual life. And this gospel is also revolutionary, because it invites us into a life of discerning, imagining, and following where the Spirit of Christ is at work. This divine work of “salvation” Lehmann spoke of as “humanization,” and his own political actions on behalf of those oppressed by colonialism, or misled by demagogic politicians or a rapacious capitalism, were undertaken “to make and to keep human life human.” Amid the interlocking political and economic systems that perennially worship their own power, the publication of this volume is itself a reminder that the gospel of the humanizing God is still on the scene.

James F. Kay, Princeton Theological Seminary

This collection of Paul Lehmann’s essays is a treasure chest containing precious jewels of Christian theology. It is an invaluable resource for theologians and preachers in constructing theological imagination in wrestling with socio-political and cultural issues emerging from our time of crisis. The essays remind the Christian church and academia of God’s revolutionary politics and invite them to search for God’s humanizing activity through critical reflection and discernment in a concrete life in our concrete context.

Eunjoo Mary Kim, Vanderbilt Divinity School