Wiara jest nadzieją. Teologiczne implikacje encykliki Spe salvi

Abstract

The article discusses the problem of hope, its foundation, subject and ecclesiastical aspect, as it was presented in Benedict XVI’s encyclical. Hope is not an ‘appendix’ to the Gospel message, but is a sign of Christianity. It is based on the conviction of God’s being almighty and the experience of meeting with Him, which results in trust without limits. The Holy Father defines hope through faith. He recalls the Letter to the Hebrews , where these terms occur interchangeably. The subject of hope is eternal life. A believer does not expect to gain the state of happiness for himself, but, above all, the Person of Christ. The Church has been formed as people who live in the hope and this dependence is mutual. One hope puts the Church together and the Church strengthens it and conveys to its members. Christian hope is not the product of human longings and imaginations. It begins and lasts through of the Holy Spirit, who can be called its Initiator. It is the Holy Spirit who makes human hope reach heaven. Man who lives with hope, lives in a different way. He does not care for things and matters that are unnecessary, defined by the Bible as hyparchonta. He is even not afraid of death. Hope guarantees spiritual liberty. It leads to perseverance, the apocalyptic hypomone. Christian liberty, along with fidelity and perseverance also brings hope to the world. It frees from fear and despair and the paralysing feeling of hopelessness. Phenomenology teaches about the relevance of Christian hope to an individual. Lack of a goal is contrary to humanity; when imposed, it turns against man and destroys him. The Pope’s encyclical provokes to reflection on the following selected themes: hope as a sign of Christianity; the Holy Spirit – the Initiator and the Giver of hope; the hope of immortality or resurrection? The ecclesiastical aspect of Christian hope; the dignity and responsibility of man saved in hope.