The Hidden God: Luther, Philosophy, and Political Theology

by Marius Timmann Mjaaland

Overview

In this phenomenological reading of Luther, Marius Timmann Mjaaland shows that theological discourse is never philosophically neutral and always politically loaded. Raising questions concerning the conditions of modern philosophy, religion, and political ideas, Marius Timmann Mjaaland follows a dark thread of thought back to its origin in Martin Luther. Thorough analyses of the genealogy of secularization, the political role of the apocalypse, the topology of the self, and the destruction of metaphysics demonstrate the continuous relevance of this highly subtle thinker.rabbi

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253018168
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	11/15/2015
Series:	Philosophy of Religion
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Marius Timmann Mjaaland is Professor for Philosophy of Religion at the University of Oslo. He is author of Autopsia: Self, Death, and God after Kierkegaard and Derrida.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Topology of Texts and the Destruction of Metaphysics
2. Sola Scriptura
3. The Hidden God
4. Modernity in the Making
5. From Revelation to Revolution
Notes
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Paul S. Rowe]]>

Mjaaland reveals a radical Luther whose break with prior metaphysics sowed the seeds for deep cultural stuggles into the future in ways that came to frighten even Luther himself.

Paul S. Rowe

Mjaaland reveals a radical Luther whose break with prior metaphysics sowed the seeds for deep cultural stuggles into the future in ways that came to frighten even Luther himself.

Editorial Reviews

"Original research... which offers new perspectives."—Norwegian Teologisk Tidsskrift

"Mjaaland . . . provides a dazzlingly, provocative exploration of the political implications of Luther's theological method and scriptural exegesis."—Journal of Lutheran Ethics

"Challenging the mutual exclusivity of theology and philosophy, Mjaaland links Luther to Nietzsche, Marx, Heidegger, and Derrida, highlighting connections between "destruction" and "deconstruction," and showing how philosophy, politics, and theology converge in Luther's radical critique of religion. Recommended."—Choice

"This is a bold work of philosophical theology."—Reading Religion

"While at one level this book advances a fairly technical and focused argument about Luther, it is profound and wide-ranging in its insights and implications. It deserves to be carefully read by anyone with deep interests in theology, philosophy, and politics."—Political Theology

"An important book on Luther's Hidden God and the nature of modernity. . . . [T]his work should be considered by Luther scholars of all stripes, especially those interested in Luther's theology and its relationship to modernity."—Lutheran Quarterly

"Mjaaland reveals a radical Luther whose break with prior metaphysics sowed the seeds for deep cultural stuggles into the future in ways that came to frighten even Luther himself."—Paul S. Rowe, author of Religion and Global Politics

"Readers not acquainted with Luther studies or Continental philosoph might at times find Mjaaland challenging, but his work is well worth the effort."—Cultural Encounters

From the Publisher

Readers not acquainted with Luther studies or Continental philosoph might at times find Mjaaland challenging, but his work is well worth the effort.

Cultural Encounters

An important book on Luther's Hidden God and the nature of modernity. . . . [T]his work should be considered by Luther scholars of all stripes, especially those interested in Luther's theology and its relationship to modernity.

Lutheran Quarterly

Challenging the mutual exclusivity of theology and philosophy, Mjaaland links Luther to Nietzsche, Marx, Heidegger, and Derrida, highlighting connections between "destruction" and "deconstruction," and showing how philosophy, politics, and theology converge in Luther's radical critique of religion. Recommended.

Choice

Mjaaland . . . provides a dazzlingly, provocative exploration of the political implications of Luther's theological method and scriptural exegesis.

Journal of Lutheran Ethics

While at one level this book advances a fairly technical and focused argument about Luther, it is profound and wide-ranging in its insights and implications. It deserves to be carefully read by anyone with deep interests in theology, philosophy, and politics.

Political Theology

This is a bold work of philosophical theology.

Reading Religion

Original research... which offers new perspectives.

Norwegian Teologisk Tidsskrift