In late modernity theology has to perform an aesthetic turn, if it wants to break out of its current isolation. Theologians cannot limit themselves to biblical texts and Christian tradition as a frame of reference but also have to search for traces of God's presence in cultures and religions. God/Terror addresses the quest for God in the context of oppression, violence and terror from an aesthetic perspective. It looks at how artists and writers approach the relationship between God and Terror. Statements such as that from composer Karl Heinz Stockhausen: "9/11 was the greatest work of art ever" or from South African writer Adam Small: "Only literature can perform the miracle of reconciliation" - are occasions to reflect again about the relationship between ethics and aesthetics, theology and the arts. As in a medieval diptych, the theme is mirroring god talk in memory of 9/11 and in the context of political conflicts in Germany, South Korea and South Africa.First published in German as Gott - Terror: ein Diptychon by Kohlhammer.
Volker Kuster is Professor of Comparative Religion and Missiology, Johannes Gutenberg-Universitat Mainz, Germany.
PrologueI. Terror, War and Violence: God Talk in Memory of September 11th, 20011. The Power of Images 2. Apocalypse Now – Does 9/11 Mark an Epochal Boundary?3. Conflicting Images of GodII. Guilt, Reconciliation and Grace: God Talk in the Context of Political Conflicts in Germany, South Korea and South Africa4. The Powerlessness of Images5. Beyond Apocalypse – Dealing with Guilt in Societal Transformation Processes6. In Conflict with GodEpilogue
