A postcolonial Pannenberg? Mimicry, the law, and the cross of love

Abstract This paper employs the postcolonial concepts of mimicry and hybridity to interpret Wolfhart Pannenberg's understanding violence done Jesus on cross subversive reconciliatory love that it engenders. According Pannenberg, although man was crucified as blasphemer Jewish law, resurrection vindicated so ones accusing were retroactively deemed be actual blasphemers. As a result, ended up dying not for his own alleged breaking but an inclusive substitute all blasphemers God (through amour propre ) deserving death. Thus, confirmed Jesus’ divine identity earthly teaching supersedes transforms law. Applying concept symbolic semiotic are held together in tension “not‐quite sameness” menaces colonizer. The cross, ostensibly sign abjection, is mimicked by suffering subverted through practice which recapitulates sinful human life toward transformed autonomy. Pannenberg displays pseudo subverting oppressive law into love. However, account futurist ontology, eschatological totality underscored relative formative experiences, leaving him vulnerable critiques essentialism, can reinscribe colonialism. I contend strategy “strategic particularism” such helpful hermeneutical tools ultimately provisional temporary whole.