Critical Theology Research Articles

Sex Robot Utopianism and the Transhumanist Vision: A Critical Reflection

Abstract The sex robots (or sexbots) are coming, and this has generated a lot of discussion. The scholarly debate on love & sex with sexbots has been ignited mostly by David Levy’s book in 2007, Love + Sex with Robots: The Evolution of Human-Robot Relationships. There exist many perspectives on sexbots, and one way to assess them is to view this as an embodiment of the transhumanist or posthumanist vision (see Michael Hauskeller’s book, Sex and the Posthuman Condition, in 2014). Some enthusiasts for sexbots such as David Levy espouse a kind of sex robot utopianism that largely mirrors the transhumanist vision of posthuman transformation. Thus, this essay will first introduce transhumanism as well as the major philosophical and theological criticisms of transhumanism. In a second step, it will introduce Levy’s sex robot utopianism and then critically assess his arguments. The critical discussions of both parts will prove to be mutually illuminating and reinforcing.

A fighter for respect and awe for God’s world of creation

The overarching aim of this article is to give the first concise introduction in English to the oeuvre of the Danish ecotheologian Ole Jensen. The article lays out four key insights which Jensen develops mainly between 1967–1976. These are (1) his reception and continuation of the creation theology developed by K. E. Løgstrup, (2) the thesis that pollution is blasphemy, (3) his description of a trustworthy ontology between illusion and restriction, and (4) his theological critique of ideology aimed at Western culture. Although the scope of the article is not limited to the early period, my claim is that these four insights constitute the base from which to grasp the unifying ideas in Jensen’s body of work. Subsequently, the article argues that Jensen’s theological contributions can be understood as the very first account of a Scandinavian ecotheology. In a constructive conversation with the sociologist Hartmut Rosa, the article ends by considering the possibilities and challenges for igniting the necessary motivation for social change in a time of ecological crisis.

Beyond political theology: Marx’s materialist theorization of democracy and constituent power

ABSTRACT This article recovers and develops Marx’s highly original materialist theorization of democracy and constituent power in Critique of Hegel’s Doctrine of State. Through close textual analysis and theoretical recontextualization, I reconstruct Marx’s development and deployment of these concepts as a central part of his critique of political theology, that is, the idea of the state as a sovereign subject transcending and exercising absolute power over society. Marx conceptualized democracy as the social basis of all constitutional forms of the state, which simultaneously revealed the inherent possibility of overthrowing it and capitalism in order to institute a continuous and collective non-sovereign form of self-determination described as ‘true democracy.’

Toward a Theology of Trans Opacity: Trans Studies’ Critique of Queer Theory in Conversation with Karl Barth’s Doctrine of Revelation

While it is generally known that the disciplinary origins of feminist and queer religious studies are enmeshed with the production of anti-trans feminisms, theological legacies of this historical entanglement remain largely unaddressed. Although later feminist and queer theologies might not explicitly take up these anti-trans positions, trans identity is still often instrumentalized in its incorporation into queer and feminist theological discourse for rhetorical and methodological gain without attention to the subjectivity and self-understanding of trans people themselves. This article argues that the theology of Karl Barth, when read with his feminist and queer critics, provides resources for critiquing this kind of trans instrumentalization in his doctrine of revelation and critique of natural theology. Moving beyond either reactionary dismissal or instrumentalized incorporation, this article instead argues for a right to opacity for trans people in Christian theology and practice resourced from Barth’s theology.

The Appeal and Perils of Religious Nationalism: A Comparative Analysis

The question of how Christians should engage politically is a matter of perennial debate. Ever since the time of Emperor Constantine and the “Christianization” of the Roman Empire, a particularly fraught question is the relationship between Christianity and political power. In Europe’s medieval kingdoms, Christians wielded tremendous political power, and even after the rise of secular nation-states, a Christian worldview remained heavily influential. The process of secularization has meant that that influence has waned, and some Christians have adopted the rhetoric of “Christian nationalism” in a defensive effort to hold onto power. This article seeks to describe the appeal of this political ideology in Central and Eastern Europe, in the context of secularization, with reference to parallel trends in the United States. It also provides a theological critique of some of its problems, including its idolatrous tendencies.

Theology and Modernity: Exploring Faith, Morality, and Human Condition Through Dostoevsky and De Lubac

In a world increasingly characterized by secularism and philosophical questioning, traditional theological beliefs face ongoing challenges. This article explores the convergence of religious thought and critical theory in the field of critical theology and demonstrates how theological concepts can critique and reshape social structures and the human existence. It synthesizes insights from the literary works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and the scholarly perspectives of Henri de Lubac, Joseph Frank, David Foster Wallace, and Frederick Copleston. The discussion emphasizes Dostoevsky’s relevance in examining faith, morality, and existential angst while exploring the fusion of theological and secular ideas to promote social justice and human well-being. This article accentuates the essential role of theology in contemporary society and argues for a balanced approach that considers both religious traditions and secular viewpoints. This interdisciplinary perspective provides a solid framework for understanding and improving the human condition.

Critique of Islamic Theology in the thought of Al-Sayyid Hussain Al-Houthi

كل مشروع فكري يُراد له أن يكون مشروعًا نهضويًا للمجتمع وللأمة عليه أن ينطلق من مسارين متوازيين هما: الأول: قراءة تراث الأمة الذي يشكّل جزءًا من هويتها، منتقيًا الجزء الذي لا يزال مواكبًا للحاضر وناقدًا منه ما يستحق النقد. الثاني: قضايا المجتمع التي تشغل بال الأمة قاطبة ويهتم بالقضايا التي تؤرق بال الأمة ولا يخلو منها كل مجتمع. ينطلق البحث من الإشكالية التي وجدت لدى بعض، المنكرين لوجود مشروع فكري لدى السيد حسين الحوثي، قام على أسس متينة وله أهداف وغايات محددة ويحاول البحث تأكيد أصالة ذلك المشروع من خلال اكتشاف ملمح مهمُ من ملامحه، هو الملمح النقدي لبعض العلوم الواردة في كتب التراث الإسلامي. وتوصل البحث للعديد من النتائج منها: أن المشروع الفكري القرآني للسيد حسين الحوثي كان مشروعًا إنسانيًا، تنويريًا نهضويًا، احتوى في مضمونه على مقومات الخطاب النهضوي الإصلاحي الذي يجعل من التنوير لوعي الفرد والإصلاح للمجتمع والنهوض بحال الأمة غاية وهدفًا ويجعل من الإنسان أيضًا غاية النهوض والإصلاح ووسيلته كذلك. وأن نقده لعلم الكلام كان نقدًا علميًا بناءً، قائمًا على أسس نقلية وعقلية معتمدًا على قوة المنطق المستمد من القرآن الكريم، فلم يكن نقدًا عابرًا لمجرد النقد، لكنه النقد الحريص على الأمة، التي تركت ما عند الله في القرآن وذهبت للبحث عما لدى المعتزلة وعلماء أصول الفقه، التي لا تسمن ولا تغني من جوع لاسيما إذا ما قورنت بالقرآن الكريم.

The Sound of Capitalism: Thomas Pynchon’s Critique of Future Economic Realities through Don Giovanni in Bleeding Edge

ABSTRACT The topic of fraud in Bleeding Edge extends beyond financial deceit to alternative realities, which are fabricated by alleged time travelers. One such traveler aligns with Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Captive to ominous forces, he liberates himself in death but returns posthumously in a digital future, joining, this article argues, a sacred conspiracy, and the laughter of the Acéphale, which echoes Georges Bataille’s concept inspired by Mozart’s Don Juan. Thomas Pynchon discusses the themes of sin, deception, and fraudulent channels as he intertwines a TV production of Don Giovanni with allusions to Dante’s “Circles of Hell.” Pynchon’s portrayal of sound engages in a theological critique of future economic realities that draws from Bataille’s vision of expenditure value in a future economy while also observing Kierkegaard’s praise for Mozart’s Don Giovanni. The sinner’s odyssey unfolds in a technological future unfettered by repentance for excess and pleasure, but enchained in sound, which offers an eschatological discourse on digital transitions and economic futures. Pynchon’s narrative proposes a cultural exchange that aims to trade over-accumulation and compromised communication for an inner experience of sensuality, which prompts reflections on the impact of data centers, virtual gamescapes, money as medium, and information that shapes and accelerates our trajectory into the future.

Violence in the Religious Language of Christianity: Historical Analysis of Christian Religious Language Containing Violence as a Source of Critical Theology

Historical fact indicates that the religious language of Christianity is rife with violence. The spiritual language is echoed in such bloody tragedies as war, murder, and punishment. This study aimed to encourage Christianity to understand violent religious language by viewing it in a reflective frame. The study uses qualitative methods to analyze history, so the literature that records the incidents of Christianity's involvement in violence is used. Analysis of the various literature produced two essential things as critical reflections on Christian theology. Based on historical facts of Christianity's involvement in violence, Christianity was at one time in a phase creating its doctrine (violence is not God's will), and Christianity played God (God did not engage in violence). That discovery is supposed to be part of a critical vehement from a violent point of view.

Theological Criticism of the Batak Traditional Tradition regarding the Practice of Respecting One's Parents and Ancestors According to Exodus 12:1

Theological Criticism of the Batak Traditional Tradition regarding the Practice of Respecting One's Parents and Ancestors According to Exodus 12:1

The Inertia of All Flesh

This article builds on Eric Santner’s reflections on The Weight of All Flesh and in particular his interpretation of the king’s two bodies (Royal Remains). Within the context of Protestant theology, the theopolitical consequences of the democratization of the political body described by Santner are of particular interest. In this respect, I argue for two theses: first, this process of democratization finds its parallel in the Protestant critique of the representational function of the church – and perhaps even a crucial precondition. Second, in terms of a theological critique of ideology, this observation allows us insights into some accompanying symptoms of this process. From a theological perspective the weight of all flesh can then be precisely analyzed as the inertia of the flesh – and of all flesh at that.

Hope Embracing Hopelessness: Toward a Process Approach to Solidarity with the Oppressed

Abstract In this article, I contend that a concept of hope in terms of process theology can better deal with Miguel De La Torre's criticisms of theology of hope than Jurgen Moltmann's rightly famous treatment of this topic.

Distinct But Not Separate: Rethinking Maritain’s Distinction of Planes to Recover his Democratic Potential

Few Catholic theologians wielded as much influence over the Twentieth-Century Catholic Church as Jacques Maritain. Furthermore, few have stirred as much global controversy in the realm of theological politics (especially in the area of global affairs). Considered treasonous by Latin American conservatives and impractical by those arguing for a politically active church, Maritain’s work touts a contemplative moderation that frustrates all political sides. Maritain’s canon daunts even the best readers and often breeds practical misinterpretation of his own philosophy. Using primary sources from Argentina and Brazil, this article reexamines Maritain’s distinction of the spiritual and worldly planes and its application of Maritain’s political thought during both the Spanish Civil War period and Brazil’s 21-year dictatorship (1964-1986). It thereby pushes back on longstanding theological critiques of this distinction. Far from advocating a church aloof from the political sphere, Maritain advocated for a vigorous engagement with it while maintaining the church’s spiritual integrity.

Magic, Idleness and Comedy: Late Agamben’s Marxist Reaction to Neoliberal Political Theology

ABSTRACT This article deals with Giorgio Agamben's late work, arguing that Agamben’s trans secular critique of capitalist political theology is incepted from the historical conditions of late neoliberalism – with its focus on the personal “self” as its anchor. It suggests that to understand Agamben’s trans secular reaction to late neoliberalism we need historicized his thought. As historicized, it can reveal the dialectical limits of neoliberalism. To do so, the article reads late Agamben texts next to contemporary Marxist thinkers Alenka Zupančič and her theory of comedy, Todd McGowan and his analysis of Capitalism and desire and Sianne Ngai and her conceptualization of zaniness as the aesthetic representation of neoliberal precariousness. Moving on, the article focuses on Agamben’s late book Pulcinella. It argues that the book not only expresses the limits of neoliberalism but also uncovers hope and promises for comic theological renewal beyond neoliberalism and its cult of the self.

The Consolation of Theology

Abstract According to Ellen Charry’s critique of modern theology, theology has become too theoretical and intellectual. However, from its beginning, theology has aimed at comforting believers. In that light, this article seeks to recuperate the consolation of theology. In order to do that, it explores how John Calvin and missionaries to Korea of the 20th century defined theology as a source of comfort and used theology to solace the suffering believers.

The Theo-Politics of Ritual: Defining and Contesting the Sacred Order of the Church

Abstract Both sociology of religion and statistical bodies within the Catholic Church approach the question of church membership in similar ways: they take participation in religious ritual as a benchmark of affiliation to a religious community. What seems to be a straightforward criterion for measuring membership actually speaks to a complex interplay in the constitution of political and cosmological order: the constitution of social order through practices such as religious rituals is, irreducibly, also a definition of the ‘extraordinary’. Thus, starting from the assumption that the formation of community is a political–theological practice of boundary-drawing that cannot but refer to a beyond, this article offers a theological critique of ritual participation as a criterion of ecclesial affiliation. Taking the performance ‘Verantwort: ich’ (Synodaler Weg, 2023) as a case, it shows that it rests on a theological concept of transcendence that is used as a hegemonic instrument to confirm the established order of belonging in the church. Arguing that the definition of ecclesial boundaries is an irreducibly powerful, even violent theo-political practice, it asks which theological notion of transcendence can best reckon with, and consequently offer tools for managing, rather than concealing, the normative violence that is at the heart of the question of who belongs to the church.

Postcolonialism and Anglican Theology

As the demographics of the Anglican Communion have shifted to the Global South, it has to adopt a postcolonial and polycentric model of mutual relationships. Postcolonial theory helps us examine Anglican history and theology through the lenses of colonialism and empire. This essay offers several examples of postcolonial critique of Anglican theology and elucidates the concept of hybridity in theology. It analyzes the revisions of the Book of Common Prayer in New Zealand/Aotearoa and Brazil as attempts to contextualize liturgy and proposes visions for theology in the Anglican Communion.

"A Somewhat Remarkable Letter": Chambers, Poe, Whitman, Thoreau, and the Invention of the Prose Poem in Antebellum America

ABSTRACT: This essay explores the far-reaching influence on antebellum American literature of the January 1845 publication of Robert Chambers's anonymous Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation , the first fully articulated exposition of evolutionary theory to appear in English. In Explanations , published in New York in 1846, Chambers replied forcefully to his scientific and theological critics and then correctly claimed that his work represented nothing less than a complete conceptual revolution, not only in science but in our understanding of the nature and purpose of existence itself. Focusing on Poe, Whitman, and Thoreau, this essay argues that Vestiges provided not only essential subject matter for these writers, but also provoked each to develop a productive set of heuristics, or open-ended methods of problem-solving. The revolutionary moment sparked by Vestiges led each to engage in a rethinking of the nature and purpose of literature and to develop stylistic innovations that came to change the direction of American literature itself.

역사 안에서 완성되는 구원으로서의 종말

This study undertakes a theological critique of historical interpretation and eschatological thought within the corpus of Belgian theologian Edward Schillebeeckx, whose scholarship was prominent in the Netherlands. Drawing from the insights of M. D. Chenu, Schillebeeckx embraces a historiographical stance informed by the methodologies of the Annales School, which postulates historical progression through a lens that allows for the interweaving of Divine will and human action in the pursuit of God. This vista sets the stage for history's protagonists to be perceived not only as the Divine orchestrator of salvation but also as humanity, in partnership with the Divine directive.
 At the crux of this engagement is the fundamental belief in Divine self-disclosure and creativeness, which aligns humanity with the Divine will, confirming the thesis of God as the sovereign architect of history.
 Schillebeeckx's historiographical methodology recognizes the intricate interaction between the vicissitudes of socio-economic frameworks and shifts in ideological paradigms, associating such seismic shifts — comparable to historical cleavages — with the ecclesiastic vocation of navigating the path to salvation. His eschatological construct, an outgrowth of this historical interpretation, contends that the ultimate realization of salvation unfolds within the historical episode wherein individuals pursue self-fulfillment, placing this pursuit at the heart of eschatological discourse. Within this paradigm, God is posited as the definitive horizon for humanity, traversing from historical antecedents through the contemporary to the eventual.
 In this theological architecture, the Divine does not precipitate the eschaton by abruptly rectifying historical wrongs. Rather, the Divine presence engages with humanity in a concerted struggle against injustice, marshaling human agency toward redemptive ends throughout this journey. Schillebeeckx’s eschatological vision, characterized by its critical negation, offers a prophetic eschatology that integrates the theme of humanity's historical absence at the pivotal intersection where dogmatic theology's principal treatises meet.

Leibniz and Kant on God

Is Immanuel Kant’s critique of the proofs of God’s existence accurate? In order to answer this question, I analyse Leibniz’ proof in his “Monadology” and I determine the relation between the cosmological and the ontological version of this proof. Since Kant often refers (implicitly) to Leibniz’ argument, I examine Kant’s critique of rational theology in the Critique of Pure Reason in the light of Leibniz’ strategy. Kant’s critique of Leibniz’ argument is partly biased by his own concept of “transcendental idealism” and fails to reject it. On the other hand, many questions in Leibniz’ attempt remain still open.