The hopeful pessimist: Christian pastoral theology in a pessimistic context

Notes that contemporary caregivers minister in a situation characterized not only by cultural pessimism, but also by the decline of Christian pastoral theology. Argues that the current renewal in theology, which involves a shift to nonfoundationalism, holds promise for a corresponding renewal in pastoral theology that could lead to a retrieval of the unique grammar of the Christian practitioner; namely, the language of hope. Opines that nonfoundationalist Christian pastoral theology would set forth a hope that is particular, eschatological, and pessimistic in contrast to the foundationalist hope with its focus on the hopeful human person, a hope that is directed beyond the human toward the God of the Bible who promises life from the dead.