Jean-Luc Nancy after the Theological Turn - A Phenomenology of Kenosis

A novel and profound reading of Jean-Luc Nancy''s deconstruction of Christianity in the context of French phenomenology''s ''theological turn'', this is an important contribution to continental philosophy of religion. Deftly exploring Nancy''s work alongside major twentieth-century philosophers of religion including Jean-Luc Marion, Michel Henry, Jean-Louis Chretien and Emmanuel Falque, Jean-Luc Nancy after the Theological Turn argues that only by turning to theology can phenomenology come into its own as philosophy. Following Derrida''s treatment of Nancy, Nikolaas Cassidy-Deketelaere thinks ''after'' the theological turn by deconstructing phenomenology''s inherent theological structure which made that turn possible: starting from the theological turn phenomenology was structurally inclined to produce, this book seeks to move beyond it (i.e., to ''de-theologise'' phenomenology). This parallels Nancy''s engagement with Christianity: drawing on Paul''s kenosis -according to which God empties himself of his divinity in the Incarnation-he understands Christianity as deconstructing or de-theologising itself. Written in elegant and clear prose, in elaborating Nancy''s little-discussed writing on Christianity this volume clarifies the philosophical project of one of the most influential contemporary thinkers. Cassidy-Deketelaere persuasively establishes the radical significance of theology for phenomenology and explains the consequences of that relationship for the recent history of contemporary philosophy.

About the author

Nikolaas Cassidy-Deketelaere

Product details

• Authors: Nikolaas Cassidy-Deketelaere
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 13.11.2025
• EAN: 9781350512078
• ISBN: 978-1-350-51207-8
• No. of pages: 272
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: antiquity to present day; PHILOSOPHY / Movements / Phenomenology, RELIGION / Theology, RELIGION / Philosophy, PHILOSOPHY / Movements / Post-Structuralism, PHILOSOPHY / Movements / Deconstruction, Theology, Philosophy of religion, Phenomenology & Existentialism, Phenomenology and Existentialism, Deconstructionism, Structuralism, Post-structuralism, Structuralism and Post-structuralism