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.

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.

• 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