The Politics of Redemption: The Social Logic of Salvation

by Adam Kotsko

Overview

A new theory of the atonement, showing that the Christian account of salvation can only fully make sense if approached from a social-political angle

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780567185662
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/30/2010
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Adam Kotsko is Visiting Assistant Professorof Religions at Kalamazoo College (USA). His current research interests include 20th century European philosophy and early Christian thought.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments



Chapter 1: Thinking relationally


'Religionless Christianity' and community

Ontology and 'being-with'

A social-relational reading of atonement theory



Chapter 2: Questioning atonement


Feminist and womanist perspectives

Theology and social theory

A case study: The question of redemptive suffering



Chapter 3: Reclaiming the tradition


Violent hospitality: Boersma

Narrative, not ontology: Weaver

Divine unilateralism: Aulen



Chapter 4: Irenaeus


Redemption as recapitulation

One human race

The principle of persuasion

The togetherness of God and creation

Chapter

5: Gregory of Nyssa


Birth and resurrection

Sensible and intelligible

Dealing with the devil



Chapter 6: Anselm


Variations on a theme

Displacing the devil

Original sin and its avoidance

Making the payment

'Out of love of the debtor?'



Chapter 7: Abelard


What is Abelard's atonement theory?

Implications: Publicity and han

Predestination and free will



Chapter 8: Community and related questions


An outstanding question

Predestination and community: Karl Barth

Representation and community: Dorothee Soelle

Religionless vs. demythologizing interpretation



Chapter 9: Politics of redemption


The ontology

The problem: Possession and rule

The solution: A persuasive fearlessness



Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

Kotsko's writing is quite clear, concise, and engaging. His writing style makes the argument of the book easy to follow while allowing its profundity to break through...The Politics of Redemption is a text that should be read by all theologians in order to gain a better understanding of the atonement while also seeing where the doctrine may open new avenues of thought: thus, Kotsko offers a major theological achievement.

Anglican Theological Review Nathan Crawford

In this wonderfully readable and provocative book Adam Kotsko carefully examines the major texts of the tradition to demonstrate that the coherence of atonement theories depends upon a social-relational view of the human being. On this basis he offers a rethinking of atonement that fruitfully engages the contemporary controversies about this doctrine and opens up new paths for theological reflection.” —Theodore W. Jennings, Jr, Professor of Biblical and Constructive Theology, Chicago Theological Seminary, IL, USA.

“An indispensable contribution to the thorny theory of atonement. Hip to the feminist critique, inflected by the postmodern return to political theology, and steeped in the depths and potentialities of the doctrinal tradition, Kotsko's relational ontology for the doctrine of redemption offers a lucid and erudite resource for a wide spectrum of Christian theology.” —Catherine Keller, Professor of Constructive Theology, . Author of Face of the Deep and On the Mystery.

“Kotsko does offer a very intriguing perspective on atonement.” —Studies in Religion/ Sciences Religieuses

“...Kotsko has the makings of a constructive perspective replete with connections, not only to the theological past and present but to the recent conclusions of other disciplines as well.” —Journal of Religion

“This book stands to contribute greatly to church growth scholarship as it represents a much-needed demystification of planting churches and offers a more foundational look at the motivation and method behind church planting.” —Religious Studies Review, Vol. 37, Issue 4

“The text is not only eminently readable, but makes a genuinely interesting and creative theological argument.” —Adonis Vidu, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Reviews in Religion and Theology

“Kotsko's writing is quite clear, concise, and engaging. His writing style makes the argument of the book easy to follow while allowing its profundity to break through...The Politics of Redemption is a text that should be read by all theologians in order to gain a better understanding of the atonement while also seeing where the doctrine may open new avenues of thought: thus, Kotsko offers a major theological achievement.” —Nathan Crawford, Anglican Theological Review

From the Publisher