Hegel and Christian Theology: A Reading of the Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion

Hegel's Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion is one of the most important resources from the nineteenth century for theology as it faces the challenges of modernity and postmodernity. A critical edition of these lectures was published in the 1980s,... Read more

Hegel's Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion is one of the most important resources from the nineteenth century for theology as it faces the challenges of modernity and postmodernity. A critical edition of these lectures was published in the 1980s, which makes possible a study of the text on a level of accuracy and insight hitherto unattainable. The present book (by the editor and translator of the critical edition) engages the speculative reconstruction of Christian theology that is accomplished in Hegel's lectures, and it provides a close reading of the text as a whole. The first part argues that Hegel's philosophy of religion is a philosophical theology focused on the concept of spirit, provides an overview of his writings on religion prior to the philosophy of religion, outlines his conception of the object and purpose of the philosophy of religion, and summarizes his critique of the theology of his time. The second part presents Hegel's version of Christian theology: his approach to Christianity within the framework of the concept of religion, his concept of God, his reconstruction of central Christian themes (Trinity, creation, humanity, evil, Christ, Spirit, community), and his placing of Christianity among the religions of the world. The concluding part makes a case for the contemporary theological significance of Hegel by arguing that his thought provides resources for revisioning central doctrinal themes in contrast to the reigning dogmatisms of our time, philosophical agnosticism and religious fundamentalism. The book is published concurrently with the reissuing by Oxford University Press of the Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion.About theAuthor:Peter C. Hodgson is Charles G. Finney Professor of Theology, Emeritus, Vanderbilt University Less