A Comparison of Political Theologies of Carl Schmitt and Johann Baptist Metz: Analogy and Counterpoint Cover Image

Usporedba političkih teologija Carla Schmitta i Johanna Baptista Metza: analognost i kontrapunkt
A Comparison of Political Theologies of Carl Schmitt and Johann Baptist Metz: Analogy and Counterpoint

Author(s): Ivica Raguž, Mirko Vlk
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Metaphysics, Theology and Religion, Politics and religion, Hermeneutics
Published by: Katolički bogoslovni fakultet u Đakovu
Keywords: Carl Schmitt; Johann Baptist Metz; political theology; comparison; analogy; counterpoint;

Summary/Abstract: The article compares the political theologies of Carl Schmitt and Johann Baptist Metz to point out the analogy between these two seemingly different projects, which, despite all the similarities, stand in counterpoint when it comes to the intention of their founders. Their analogy stems from the very structure of political theology as a reflection on the relationship between religion and politics. Thus, both political theologies are structural in nature, developing the metaphysical and hermeneutic framework to analyze their material object. Likewise, they adopt a negative theological anthropology to emphasize the adverse nature of human existence. Finally, Schmitt and Metz rely on the disruptive-critical element of political theology – the fact that the sociopolitical life of the entire community lies in a reciprocal relationship with the religious beliefs of its members – to point out how man’s subjectivity is not limited to history but transcends it.

  • Issue Year: 29/2021
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 477-494
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Croatian