Biblical Hope: How Stories Survive and Transform Crises

Biblical Hope: How Stories Survive and Transform Crises

On July 29, 2025, a memorable farewell to Prof. Dr. was held at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU). Sabine Bieberstein was celebrated, who shaped the academic landscape at the KU for almost two decades. Her career began with studying theology in Tübingen and Vienna and led her to her doctorate in 1997 at the University of Friborg, where she wrote a dissertation on female characters in the Gospel of Luke. After working as a pastoral consultant in Bern and project manager at the Catholic Bible Work in Zurich, she took over the professorship for New Testament exegesis and biblical didactics at the KU in 2006. In 2013 she also took over the specialist representation for the Old Testament.

In her farewell lecture, Bieberstein discussed biblical literature in times of crisis. She argued that many biblical texts were written during periods of existential threat. These stories often functioned as counter-stories to dominant narratives. One example she highlighted was the Moses story, which can be interpreted as a resistance narrative against the Assyrian conquests. Bieberstein emphasized that such texts could transform the self-image of communities in crises.

Research focus and topic areas

Examples of her research include the Apostle Paul, early Christian communities, and the biblical resurrection hope. Gender research was particularly important to her. She also focused on the prophetic voices of Ezekiel and Deutero-Isaiah, both of whom create images of the future and offer transformational potential. Ezekiel proclaimed a blessed future despite prophecies of doom, while Deutero-Isaiah addressed monotheism as a response to the worship of foreign gods.

Prof. Dr. also spoke on this occasion. Martin Schneider, who emphasized the transformative power of hope. He called for dealing with crises and explained that real emancipation requires positive visions of the future. Schneider distinguished between personal hope, which he called “espoir,” and transcendent hope, which he defined as “espérance.” For him, a new understanding of freedom is necessary that is based on planetary boundaries.

Stories and rituals as transformative forces

The event was characterized by the discussion about the role of stories in religious education. Prof. Dr. Simone Birkel discussed the importance of utopian thinking and emotionally engaging narratives as a means of positive transformation. She found that hope mediates between passivity and activity.
The focus was also on the rituals that Prof. Dr. Rowena Roppelt spoke. Inspired by Margaret Atwood's novel, she examined how rituals can promote ecological responsibility and bring about material changes in lifestyle. She called on Christian traditions to critically reflect on their liturgical practices.

These impressive lectures and discussions reflect the diversity and depth of Bieberstein's work and the exchange at the KU. Her research interests and teaching will continue to have a significant impact on theological education and the discussion of identity and hope in times of crisis.

Further details on the topics can be found in the publication “Religious Experience and its Transformative Power” by Sabrina Müller, published by De Gruyter in 2023, which deals with hermeneutical approaches to the practical aspects of theology Here.

For more information about Prof. Dr. Please attend Sabine Bieberstein's last lecture Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt.