Publisher Description

The French philosopher Alain Badiou (born 1937), is one of the main representatives of a recent philosophical homage to Saint Paul. Yet, Badiou is not a believer in the traditional sense, let alone a Christian philosopher. On the contrary, he rejects transcendence and pleads for a radical this-worldliness.This does not mean, however, that his work is of no use to theologians, though a theological engagement with him will necessarily take some time. This book takes the first steps in that direction. It focuses on Badiou's ontology, because his challenge to theology, and more in particular to the doctrine of God, is to be found at this level of his system. The starting point is Badiou's claim that true religion and true faith are no longer possible. This claim is evaluated in three parts: the theological context in which ontology becomes necessary; why we should turn to Badiou as a plausible source for such an ontology; and Badiou's atheist stance and its implications. Depoortere shows that Badiou's atheist ontology can nevertheless be opened towards God.
 

Author Biography

Dr Frederiek Depoortere is a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) at the Faculty of Theology, K.U.Leuven (Belgium) and a member of the research group 'Theology in a Postmodern Context'.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Abbreviations
Introduction: Alain Badiou, Theology and the Political
1. Christianity and the Modern Passion for the New
2. The Theological Promise of Alain Badiou
3. The Threefold 'Death' of God: Badiou's Challenge to Theology
4. Aim and Scope of the Present Volume

Chapter 1: Faith and the Existence of God
1. Religion and Faith: Terminological Clarifications
a. Religion
b. Faith
b.1. Dei Filius on Faith
b.2. Thomas Aquinas on Faith
b.3. Conclusion

c. Conclusion

2. The Existence of God Revisited
a. The Closed Circle of Faith: An Example
b. An Analysis of Existential Statements in General
c. An Analysis of the Statement 'God Exists'
d. Aquinas's Understanding of Being and the Being of God
e. In Conclusion

Chapter 2: Badiou on Being
1. The Mathematical Turn
2. Ontology: Theory of the Pure Multiple
3. Ontology: Theory of the Void
a. Introducing the Issue of Zero
b. The Multiple of Nothing
c. The Void
d. Theory of the Void

4. The Actual Infinite
5. In Conclusion

Chapter 3: First Steps Towards a Future Theological Evaluation of Badiou's Ontology
1. Aquinas on God's Infinity and Unity
2. Cantor on Aquinas, Origen and Augustine on the Mathematical Infinite
3. Cantor on the Absolute
4. God's Infinity and Unity Revisited in the Context of Set Theory

Bibliography

Index

Review

'This is not a book this is the explosion of what happens when the world's greatest living philosopher, Alain Badiou and history's most perfect logics (theology) meet each other.  Being theology's first careful and sustained engagement with Badiou's work by one of the brightest young and capable theologians in our time, this book cannot be ignored.  Depoortere deftly maneuvers and situates an orthodox catholic theology by drawing on a range of figures and themes from Thomas Aquinas and other theological giants to Cantorian set-theory and the ontology of mathematics. Depoortere does this with such precision, rhetorical beauty and integrity that what you get is a genuine and real engagement with Badiou's ontology without backing down or conceding a single point. This is not your standard 20th century "ironic" theology that tries to pass itself off for its fake twin—the secular world. The upshot of this book unapologically shows how the Christian passion for the new brings Badiou's work into a promising engagement and will surely change the very framework by which we understand theology and the infinite in our time.' - Creston Davis, Rollins College, Florida, USA -- Creston Davis
'Why theology have to discuss with a post-maoist, atheist philosopher and mathematician, even if he is shiny, famous and influential? How can such an encounter become a "theological promise"? In his book Badiou and Theology, F. Depoortere took up the challenge and gave the proof that such a conversation can lead to a high-level intellectual debate as well as an authentic theological research. Badiou meets Theology through different levels: definition of the subject, definition of the infinite and its relation with God, possibility of a true faith after the death of the living God of religion, Paul's achievements. F. Depoortere shows an impressive skill to sustain the conversation on the various fronts opened by Badiou's thought: philosophy, mathematics and theology. His book is a brilliant example of the way Theology has to face contemporary intellectual challenges".' - Benoit Bourgine, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium -- Benoit Bourgine

Promotional

Depoortere traces the links between French philosopher Alain Badiou and Pauline theology in the face of Nietzsche's proclamation of the death of God.

Long Description

The French philosopher Alain Badiou (born 1937), is one of the main representatives of a recent philosophical homage to Saint Paul. Yet, Badiou is not a believer in the traditional sense, let alone a Christian philosopher. On the contrary, he rejects transcendence and pleads for a radical this-worldliness. This does not mean, however, that his work is of no use to theologians, though a theological engagement with him will necessarily take some time. This book takes the first steps in that direction. It focuses on Badiou's ontology, because his challenge to theology, and more in particular to the doctrine of God, is to be found at this level of his system. The starting point is Badiou's claim that true religion and true faith are no longer possible. This claim is evaluated in three parts: the theological context in which ontology becomes necessary; why we should turn to Badiou as a plausible source for such an ontology; and Badiou's atheist stance and its implications. Depoortere shows that Badiou's atheist ontology can nevertheless be opened towards God.

Review Quote

'Why theology have to discuss with a post-maoist, atheist philosopher and mathematician, even if he is shiny, famous and influential? How can such an encounter become a "theological promise"? In his book Badiou and Theology , F. Depoortere took up the challenge and gave the proof that such a conversation can lead to a high-level intellectual debate as well as an authentic theological research. Badiou meets Theology through different levels: definition of the subject, definition of the infinite and its relation with God, possibility of a true faith after the death of the living God of religion, Paul's achievements. F. Depoortere shows an impressive skill to sustain the conversation on the various fronts opened by Badiou's thought: philosophy, mathematics and theology. His book is a brilliant example of the way Theology has to face contemporary intellectual challenges".' - Benoit Bourgine, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Promotional "Headline"

Depoortere traces the links between French philosopher Alain Badiou and Pauline theology in the face of Nietzsche's proclamation of the death of God.

Details