Civil Society, Civil Religion

Civil Society, Civil Religion pioneers an essentially new genre of theology: a form of pure civil theology, on a systematic basis. It is an important and original book, in significant respects carrying forward the debate initiated by John Milbank's Theology and Social Theory, albeit in a very different way.

Introduction. Part I: Negative Revelation: . A. Hannah Arendt. 1. Isonomy. 2. Auctoritas. 3. The Life of the Mind. B. Simone Weil. 1. Deracinement. 2.'The Absolute Good.'. Part II: Religion, Civility and Faith:. A. Against Confessional Exclusivism. 1. Truth as Subjectivity. 2. Faith versus 'Religion'. 3. Affinity Group / Open Forum. B. Civil Theology in Christendom. Part III: 'The Solidarity of The Shaken': Civil Theology And Historical Consciousness:. A. Jan Patocka's Meta-history of Historical Consciousness. B. The History of 'Nihilism'. C.'Nur Noch ein Gott...'. Part IV: The Virtues Of Discernment:. A. Free-spiritedness (Heidegger, Hegel, Nietzsche). B. Flair for Tradition (Hegel). C. Transcendent Generosity (Levinas). Part V: 'Anti-Politics'.