Politics of Redemption

Adam Kotsko is Visiting Assistant Professorof Religions at Kalamazoo College (USA). His current research interests include 20th century European philosophy and early Christian thought.

• AcknowledgmentsChapter 1: Thinking relationally'Religionless Christianity' and communityOntology and 'being-with'A social-relational reading of atonement theoryChapter 2: Questioning atonementFeminist and womanist perspectivesTheology and social theoryA case study: The question of redemptive sufferingChapter 3: Reclaiming the traditionViolent hospitality: BoersmaNarrative, not ontology: WeaverDivine unilateralism: AulenChapter 4: IrenaeusRedemption as recapitulationOne human raceThe principle of persuasionThe togetherness of God and creationChapter 5: Gregory of NyssaBirth and resurrectionSensible and intelligibleDealing with the devilChapter 6: AnselmVariations on a themeDisplacing the devilOriginal sin and its avoidanceMaking the payment'Out of love of the debtor?'Chapter 7: AbelardWhat is Abelard's atonement theory?Implications: Publicity and hanPredestination and free willChapter 8: Community and related questionsAn outstanding questionPredestination and community: Karl BarthRepresentation and community: Dorothee SoelleReligionless vs. demythologizing interpretationChapter 9: Politics of redemptionThe ontologyThe problem: Possession and ruleThe solution: A persuasive fearlessnessBibliography

In this wonderfully readable and provocative book Adam Kotsko carefully examines the major texts of the tradition to demonstrate that the coherence of atonement theories depends upon a social-relational view of the human being. On this basis he offers a rethinking of atonement that fruitfully engages the contemporary controversies about this doctrine and opens up new paths for theological reflection.