Jacques Derrida: a name to strike fear into the hearts of theologians. His ideas have been hugely influential in shaping postmodern philosophy, and its impact has been felt across the humanities from literary studies to architecture. However, he has also been associated with the specters of relativism and nihilism. Some have suggested he undermines any notion of objective truth and stable meaning.
Derrida is now increasingly seen as a major contributor to thinking about the complexity of truth, responsibility and witnessing. Theologians and biblical scholars are engaging as never before with Derrida's own deep-rooted reflections on religious themes. From the nature of faith to the name of God, from Messianism to mysticism, from forgiveness to the impossible, he has broken new ground in thinking about religion in our time. His ideas and writing style remain highly complex, however, and can be a forbidding prospect for the uninitiated. This book examines his philosophical approach, his specific work on religious themes, and the ways in which theologians have interpreted, adopted, and disputed them.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Contents
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
Chapter One
Savage Genesis: Complicating the Origin
Chapter Two
In the Beginning was the Word: Repeat
Chapter Three
The Other, the Thief, the great Furtive One: Naming God
Chapter Four
How to Void Speaking: Derrida and Negative Theology
Chapter Five
Messianism and the Other to Come
Chapter Six
Touching: The Impossible Gift
Chapter Seven
Gift or Poison? Theological responses
Conclusion A Useless, Indispensable Name Select
Bibliography
Index
