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Jean-Luc Nancy after the Theological Turn
A Phenomenology of Kenosis
Jean-Luc Nancy after the Theological Turn
A Phenomenology of Kenosis
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Description
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 Chrétien 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.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Note on the Text
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
Part I: Givenness and Revelation
1. The Phenomenon of Revelation
2. The Depth of Reason
3. The Experience of Faith
Part II: Embodiment and Incarnation
4. Henry's Swerve of the Flesh
5. Falque's Resistance of the Body
6. Nancy's Extension of the Soul
Conclusion
References
Index
Product details

Published | Oct 16 2025 |
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Format | Ebook (Epub & Mobi) |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 248 |
ISBN | 9781350512092 |
Imprint | Bloomsbury Academic |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
About the contributors
Reviews
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This wonderful study of Jean-Luc Nancy's deconstruction of Christianity yields not only a deeper understanding of kenosis and incarnation-it prompts a rethinking of the very conditions by which God might reveal Godself, and far beyond trends that have been popularized in the past half-century. By revisiting varied notions of a phenomenology of revelation alongside the possibility of Christian atheism, Deketelaere provides us with a phenomenology of kenosis as an alternative to the 'theological turn' in phenomenology, illustrating differences between key theological (revelation, incarnation) and phenomenological (givenness, embodiment) terms that are often wrongly conflated. This work is simultaneously a profound challenge to those seeking to plant a theological flag in the lands of phenomenology and an offering of profound new ways to think faith through a renewed encounter with religious experience.
Colby Dickinson, Professor of Theology, Loyola University Chicago, USA
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Erudite, insightful, lucid. Nikolaas Cassidy-Deketelaere describes his goal in writing this book as “not to satisfy the theologian, but to interest the philosopher,” which is why it makes such an absorbing read. Even if we might not share all his presuppositions, we cannot help but be attracted to the splendid arc of thinking kenosis that Deketelaere proposes and the generous and resourceful portrait of the work of Jean-Luc Nancy that he provides. We owe him a great debt for his clarification of frequently challenging literature without the least sign that it has been emptied of meaning! Deketelaere is one of the best thinkers of his generation.
Robyn Horner, Australian Catholic University, Australia