Dorothee Soelle: “In Memoriam”

Abstract

Dorothee Soelle grew up under Hitler's state terror and later lived in a climate of remilitarisation and consumerism. Through an increasing rejection of social coercion, violence and dehumanising social structures, her earlier systematic theology embraced a narrative, praxis-orientated methodology that sought to make present fragments of God's gospel of love and justice in the midst of oppression and brokenness. In the light of her theological reflection on experiences in Vietnam, Europe, the U.S.A., and Latin America she attracted a wide international audience. For theologians in Australasia Soelle's legacy continues to hold open the question, if oppression is the primary sin, of how theological endeavour can advance interdependence and wholeness in life?