Analogy, Synergy, Revelation: Divine-Humanity in John Milbank's Poetic Theology

Abstract

AbstractThis article builds upon the analogical reflections of John Milbank – taking his work in a distinctly “projectionist” direction. It is argued that analogy (as Milbank understands it) allows us to talk of “projection” in theology without succumbing to Feuerbach's anthropological reductionism. In my discussion of Milbank's work, what is emphasized is the “poetic” nature of theological analogy, in which the divine and human creations intersect. God is revealed in and through the human, through the things we make. In its development of projectionist themes, Milbank's work, it is shown, demonstrates several potentials for feminist theology and philosophy of religion. In particular, his analogical vision helps to overcome any sort of dichotomy between human and divine, “projection” and “truth”. Crucially in this regard, Milbank's analogy stresses the importance, not only of our “makings”, but also of the divine initiative.