The Concept of Memory in the Work of Miroslav Volf: A Critical Survey

Authors

  • Vasyl Matsyuk Independent researcher, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29357/2789-1577.2025.23.1.2

Keywords:

Miroslav Volf, theology of memory, reconciliation, justice, forgiveness, eschatology, Christian identity, wrongdoing, ethical memory, eschatological forgetting

Abstract

Miroslav Volf’s concept of memory is deeply connected to his broader theological vision, shaped by his understanding of grace, reconciliation, and eschatological hope. This article surveys how memory fits within Volf’s Christian framework, particularly its relationship to atonement and divine generosity. In The End of Memory, he argues that while memory is essential for justice and identity, it must ultimately be transformed by grace. In the eschaton, the memory of wrongdoing will gradually fade as a gift from God, making perfect communion with God and one another  possible. This study explores how Volf’s eschatology informs this claim and considers whether his framework sufficiently accounts for the moral weight of past suffering and the need for recognition. Engaging with critiques of his position, the article examines how his reflections on forgiveness, justice, and reconciliation shape his approach to remembering rightly. By situating his concept of memory within his larger theological project, this survey provides an overview of its role in his vision of redemption and the world to come.

Author Biography

Vasyl Matsyuk, Independent researcher

Master of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
Master of Arts in Religious Studies, Yale University

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Published

2025-05-26

How to Cite

Matsyuk, Vasyl. 2025. “The Concept of Memory in the Work of Miroslav Volf: A Critical Survey”. Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology 23 (1):26-45. https://doi.org/10.29357/2789-1577.2025.23.1.2.

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2025): Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Vasyl Matsyuk

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