The paper explores the theological particularities of the Christian family metaphor. In conversation with Fustel de Coulanges, it is argued that the Christian universalization of God's paternal love is at odds with any generalization of natural family relationships or historical family religion because it emphasizes above all the difference between Creator and creature rather than the superiority or inferiority of some creatures over others. This is why distinctions such as sex, gender, class, ethnicity, nationality, etc., which are based on the natural, social, or cultural origin of Christians, play no theological role in the Christian community. Christianity is not the universal continuation of a historical or natural family religion, but the new beginning of humanity in the orientation towards the creative love of God.

Enthalten in:
Zeitschrift für Theologie und Kirche; 2023/4 (2023)

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Serie / Reihe: Zeitschrift für Theologie und Kirche

Personen: Dalferth, Ingolf U.

Schlagwörter: Religion Familie Theologie Christentum Fustel de Coulanges, Numa Denis Metaphorik