Synopses & Reviews
Martin Heidegger is the 20th century theology philosopher with the greatest importance to theology. A cradle Catholic originally intended for the priesthood, Heidegger's studies in philosophy led him to turn first to Protestantism and then to an atheistic philosophical method. Nevertheless, his writings remained deeply indebted to theological themes and sources, and the question of the nature of his relationship with theology has been a subject of discussion ever since.
This book offers theologians and philosophers alike a clear account of the directions and the potential of this debate. It explains Heidegger's key ideas, describes their development and analyses the role of theology in his major writings, including his lectures during the National Socialist era. It reviews the reception of Heidegger's thought both by theologians in his own day (particularly in Barth and his school as well as neo-Scholasticism) and more recently (particularly in French phenomenology), and concludes by offering directions for theology's possible future engagement with Heidegger's work.
Synopsis
A delicate exposition of the complex relationship between Heidegger and Theology in all its complexity.
Synopsis
The relationship between Heidegger and Theology is a complex one that is not easy to define. It unifies several strands in Heidegger's thought that have rarely been brought together in one place. First Heidegger's Catholic origins, next his flirtation with Mediaeval mysticism and his so-called 'conversion' to Protestantism. Underlying this is his reading of the Greek understanding of the divine. Perhaps the most important part of this is Heidegger's discussion of what he variously called 'the atheism of phenomenology', the 'christianisation of philosophy' and his analysis of Hegel and Nietzsche as 'ontotheology' and as 'the end of metaphysics'. The book concludes with a discussion of the principal theologians who have engaged with Heidegger, and also an examination of theology's possible future engagement with Heidegger's work.
Synopsis
Martin Heidegger is arguably the most important philosopher of the twentieth century for theologians, and the question of the nature of his relationship with theology remains a source of lively discussion. This book offers theologians and philosophers alike a clear account of the directions and the potential of this debate.
About the Author
Dr Judith Wolfe is a Fellow in Theology at St John's College in the University of Oxford, UK. She has written widely on the interfaces between theology, philosophy and literature. She is General Editor of the Journal of Inklings Studies.
Table of Contents
Note on the text
Abbreviations
Introduction
1 Heidegger s Catholicism (1889 - 1915)
2 Heidegger s Protestantism (1916 - 1921)
3 The emancipation of philosophy (1921 - 1929)
4 Theology in Being and Time
5 Heidegger between Hitler and Hölderlin (1930 - 1935)
6 The later Heidegger (1935 and beyond)
7 Heidegger among theologians
8 Heidegger in theology
Bibliography
Index