Jean-Luc Nancy After the Theological Turn - by Nikolaas Cassidy-Deketelaere (Hardcover)

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Book Synopsis

Nikolaas Cassidy-Deketelaere provides a novel and profound reading of Jean-Luc Nancy's deconstruction of Christianity in the context of French phenomenology's 'theological turn'.
Deftly exploring Nancy's work alongside major contemporary phenomenologists including Jean-Luc Marion, Michel Henry, Jean-Louis Chrétien and Emmanuel Falque, Jean-Luc Nancy after the Theological Turn argues that only by turning to theology can phenomenology come into its own as philosophy. Following Derrida's treatment of Nancy, Cassidy-Deketelaere thinks 'after' the theological turn by deconstructing phenomenology's inherent theological structure which made that turn possible; starting from the theological turn, this book seeks to move beyond it, that is, to 'de-theologise' phenomenology. This approach parallels Nancy's engagement with Christianity: drawing on Paul's kenosis - according to which God empties himself of his divinity in the Incarnation - Nancy understands Christianity as deconstructing or de-theologising itself.
Written in elegant and clear prose, this volume clarifies the phenomenological and theological consequences of one the most influential modern thinkers' philosophy.

Review Quotes

"This wonderful study of Jean-Luc Nancy's deconstruction of Christianity yields not only a deeper understanding of kenosis and incarnation-it prompts a rethinking of the very conditions by which God might reveal Godself, and far beyond trends that have been popularized in the past half-century. By revisiting varied notions of a phenomenology of revelation alongside the possibility of Christian atheism, Deketelaere provides us with a phenomenology of kenosis as an alternative to the 'theological turn' in phenomenology, illustrating differences between key theological (revelation, incarnation) and phenomenological (givenness, embodiment) terms that are often wrongly conflated. This work is simultaneously a profound challenge to those seeking to plant a theological flag in the lands of phenomenology and an offering of profound new ways to think faith through a renewed encounter with religious experience." --Colby Dickinson, Professor of Theology, Loyola University Chicago, USA

"Erudite, insightful, lucid. Nikolaas Cassidy-Deketelaere describes his goal in writing this book as "not to satisfy the theologian, but to interest the philosopher," which is why it makes such an absorbing read. Even if we might not share all his presuppositions, we cannot help but be attracted to the splendid arc of thinking kenosis that Deketelaere proposes and the generous and resourceful portrait of the work of Jean-Luc Nancy that he provides. We owe him a great debt for his clarification of frequently challenging literature without the least sign that it has been emptied of meaning! Deketelaere is one of the best thinkers of his generation." --Robyn Horner, Professor of Theology, Australian Catholic University, Australia

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