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[German Version] I. Religious Studies / History of Religions – II. Old Testament – III. New Testament – IV. Dogmatics – V. Ethics I. Religious Studies / History of Religions Various versions of the Greek Prometheus myth characterize hope ( elpís) as one of the requirements for human existence (Hesiod Opera et dies V 96; Aesch. Prometheus V 250). In Roman religion, hope ( spes) is one of the concepts personified and venerated as divine powers (Cic. De legibus II 28). It seems reasonable to assume that religious hope differs from nonreligious hope in extending its time frame beyond this earthly life – in other words, the expected consummation is not identical with a fulfilled life in this world. This distinction rests, however, on a conventional concept of religion that is not unquestioned. The same is true of the assumption that one of religion's functions is to justify hope that extends beyond life in this world. Religious hope can be justified thr…