Jansenism between Theology and Politics. On Herder's interpretation of Jansenism

Abstract

Jansenism was a special kind of political theology and a real chapter in the history of European civilization. Even in our days, it is not considered completely revealed. The term "political theology" is a special category since it is the final outcome of prolonged research and interpretation procedures. These outcomes are hardly useful as footnotes only behind the term itself. They are rather to be mentioned in further explanations. Nevertheless, any political theology is primarily theology. Its political dimensions are determined partly through the perceived and verified position in its real-time society, and partly by primary and complete interpretation through biblical exegesis and dogmata which were understood as political acts contemporarily (but perhaps also later). Luther's criticism of selling indulgences may have been a simple and striking example. The practice of selling indulgences was undoubtedly a theological problem, but there was inevitable (as it really happened) its political nature too. In the case of creating sometimes a typology of "political" theologies it would be certainly interesting to study its relevant types. Nevertheless, it is clear that there are generally existing types of politically converted theology which return in similar forms from time to time with their own historical depth. Therefore it is not necessary to generate it repeatedly as a new discovery while targeting a way of thinking of any specific era. Political theology, as it must always be emphasized, is primarily theology. However, its conversion to a political one may be caused (as it was mentioned above) by a huge number of factors, let alone real historical incidences by any fortune. Thus, it is obvious that the theological factor is predominant in any interpretation. This way, reconstruction of the same factor is a key to opening the gate to political interpretation. Anyway, this dominancy even by recognising its nature cannot disguise the political background. Regarding these, transparency and intellectual courage are necessary to any interpretation since political struggle fought out in the medium of theology may discover substantial secrets as well.