Towards a phenomenology of kenosis : Thinking after the theological turn
Journal article
Cassidy-Deketelaere, Nikolaas. (2022). Towards a phenomenology of kenosis : Thinking after the theological turn. Open Theology. 8(1), pp. 128-152. https://doi.org/10.1515/opth-2022-0201
Authors | Cassidy-Deketelaere, Nikolaas |
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Abstract | What could it mean to think “after the theological turn”? This article proposes one possible answer by reframing the theological turn in light of the way in which Paul’s kenosis serves as a metaphor for deconstruction in a variety of continental philosophers who are all nevertheless hostile to overt theologising. Tracking this notion through the history of theology and philosophy, the article argues that it has been philosophically appropriated so as to indicate the point within the Christian theological complex that constitutes its fatal agent by setting in motion Christianity’s own self-deconstruction or de-theologisation. This dynamic, which implies that every engagement with theology ultimately carries itself outside of theology proper, will then allow the article to reconceive the gesture operated by phenomenology’s theological turn: in their right turn towards theology, the philosopher must be careful not to simply remain stuck there, for it only serves their investigation insofar as this engagement is precisely what allows them to turn away from “the theological,” or for phenomenology de-theologise itself. By drawing out the kenotic motif in contemporary continental philosophy and connecting it to phenomenology’s theological turn, the article thus argues that what is needed now is a deconstruction of the theological turn. This can be accomplished by way of what the article proposes to call a “phenomenology of kenosis”: namely, a phenomenology that starts from theology (Paul’s notion of kenosis), precisely so as to move beyond it (to de-theologise itself). |
Keywords | phenomenology; theology; kenosis; continental philosophy of religion; theological turn; deconstruction; Jean-Luc Nancy |
Year | 2022 |
Journal | Open Theology |
Open Theology | |
Journal citation | 8 (1), pp. 128-152 |
Publisher | Walter de Gruyter |
ISSN | 2300-6579 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1515/opth-2022-0201 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85127837996 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Page range | 128-152 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 23 Mar 2022 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 28 Feb 2022 |
Deposited | 02 Jun 2023 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8z183/towards-a-phenomenology-of-kenosis-thinking-after-the-theological-turn
Download files
Publisher's version
OA_Cassidy-Deketelaere_2022_Towards_a_phenomenology_of_kenosis_thinking.pdf | |
License: CC BY-NC 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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