Kierkegaard's Critique of Christian Nationalism

by Backhouse, Stephen

• ISBN13: 9780199604722
• ISBN10: 019960472X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-09-02
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

'Christian nationalism' refers to the set of ideas in which belief in the development and superiority of one's national group is combined with, or underwritten by, Christian theology and practice. A critique of Christian nationalism is implicit throughout the thought of Soren Kierkegaard, an analysis inseparable from his wider aim of reintroducing Christianity into Christendom. Stephen Backhouse examines the nationalist theologies of Kierkegaard's contemporaries H.L. Martensen and N.F.S. Grundtvig, to show how Kierkegaard's thought developed in response to the writings of these important cultural leaders of the day. Kierkegaard's response formed the backbone of his own philosophical and theological project, namely his attempt to form authentic Christian individuals through the use of 'the moment', 'the leap' and 'contemporaneity'. This study brings Kierkegaard's critique of Christian nationalism into conversation with current political science theories of religious nationalism and reflects on the implications of Kierkegaard's radical approach. While the critique is unsettling to politicians and church leaders alike, nevertheless there is much to commend it to the reality of modern religious and social life. As a theological thinker keenly aware of the unique problems posed by Christendom, Kierkegaard's critique is timely for any Christian culture that is tempted to confuse its faith with patriotism or national affiliation.

Author Biography

Stephen Backhouse examines the nationalist theologies of Kierkegaard's contemporaries H.L. Martensen and N.F.S. Grundtvig, to show how Kierkegaard's thought developed in response to the writings of these important cultural leaders of the day. Kierkegaard's response formed the backbone of his own philosophical and theological project, namely his attempt to form authentic Christian individuals through the use of 'the moment', 'the leap', and contemporaneity'.

Table of Contents

List of Abbreviations	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
Nationalism, Christianity and Kierkegaard	p. 1
Introduction	p. 1
Nations and nationalism	p. 2
Patriots and patriotism	p. 11
Current Christian nationalism	p. 16
Kierkegaard and the modern conversation	p. 20
Towards a Kierkegaardian ideology critique	p. 27
H. L. Martensen	p. 34
Introduction	p. 34
J. P. Mynster	p. 36
Martensen and Christendom	p. 39
The critique of Kierkegaard in Social Ethics	p. 43
Three 'pillars' of the state	p. 47
Social Ethics, the state and Christendom	p. 55
Concluding remarks	p. 63
N. F. S. Grundtvig	p. 66
Introduction	p. 66
Magelose opdagelse-the matchless discovery	p. 69
Menneske forst-human first	p. 75
Verdens-Historien-world history	p. 82
Concluding remarks	p. 89
Philosophical Tools	p. 92
Introduction	p. 92
Oieblikket-the moment of vision	p. 93
Samtidigheden-contemporaneity	p. 110
History	p. 125
Introduction	p. 125
The world-historical in Concluding Unscientific Postscript	p. 128
Development and the age	p. 143
The ages in Two Ages	p. 151
Concluding remarks	p. 159
Identity	p. 161
Introduction	p. 161
Kierkegaard and society	p. 163
Kierkegaard and the common man	p. 173
Challenging the socio-political	p. 177
Undefined New Things: Church and State	p. 198
Introduction	p. 198
Civic life	p. 201
Church life	p. 215
Conclusion	p. 222
Bibliography	p. 228
Index	p. 243
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