Introduction to Political Theology and Philosophy

December 29, 2015 1:39 AM

I"m looking for an introductory historico-philosophical text on religion and politics, political-theology, or secularism and anti-secularism philosophically? Specifically, I'm interested in understanding, the context and surrounding works which would situate Carl Schmitt's claims regarding the persistence of theological concepts in 20thC political philosophy.

I'm looking for a kind of overview summary text to situate myself in this field of study. Which I presume might discuss say
- Nietzsche's Thus Spake Zarathustra and his concerns regarding the persistence of religious concepts in secular modernity,
- Spinoza's Tractatus-Politico-Theologico,
- Carl Schmitt's works such as "Political-Theology"
- Walter Benjamin's theological Messianism,
- Jacob Taubes on St Paul

Where does one begin to understand the history of the philosophy of the interplay of religion and politics?

posted by mary8nne to Education (6 answers total)

Carl Schmitt's own context, and the history of his ideas generally, is addressed in A Dangerous Mind: Carl Schmitt in Post-War European Thought. The focus isn't on theology but his use of theological concepts is addressed.

For a more general overview, it might be worth starting with the Stanford Encyclopedia entries on religion and politics and Schmitt, following up on the sources cited there that seem closest to your interests? Glancing quickly through the Schmitt entry, it seems that the Meier 1998 book may focus most closely on the aspect of Schmitt's thought that you are interested in.
posted by Aravis76 at 2:23 AM on December 29, 2015

Response by poster: There is a book cited here: http://explore.georgetown.edu/publications/61029/ that looks useful, but there are no other references to it anywhere - does it actually exist?

The Oxford Handbook of Political Theology
Shaun Casey and Michael Kessler, ed. The Oxford Handbook of Political Theology. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.
posted by mary8nne at 2:30 AM on December 29, 2015

Both authors' bios say the editing of the publication is ongoing, and at least two chapter authors have it listed as 'forthcoming' - that's all I've got for you at the moment.
posted by lokta at 2:46 AM on December 29, 2015

Response by poster: This looks interesting Oxford handbook of theology and modern European thought but the closest library copy seems to be at Senate House Library in London.
posted by mary8nne at 2:52 AM on December 29, 2015

There's a collection of essays on political theology, edited by the same author (Kessler), available on Oxford Scholarship Online, which may be relevant.
posted by Aravis76 at 3:13 AM on December 29, 2015

i suspect this is too fluffy, but thought i'd mention it just in case (it's on my pile - no idea if it's any good; i think i must have seen it recommended here somewhere).
posted by andrewcooke at 3:53 AM on December 29, 2015 [1 favorite]