On Theological Promise

Abstract

This was the public address in the Alte Aula of Heidelberg University on the occasion of the reception of the 2022 Manfred Lautenschlaeger Awards for Theological Promise. The essay reflects on the theme for which these awards are given, namely “God and Spirituality – widely conceived.” The argument employs the methodology of “sites of memory,” made famous by French historian Pierre Nora. It the form of a walking tour of such sites in Heidelberg, it reflects on different ways of understanding “God and Spirituality,” represented by several public intellectuals from the academic history of Heidelberg. In the process, it constructs an approach to the notion of “theological promise” which is then briefly spelled out as conclusion at the end of the argument.