Criticism of Heaven: On Marxism and Theology (Historical Materialism Book Series)

Why do some of the major Marxists of the twentieth century engage extensively with theology? What is the influence on their other work? This book explores the instersections between Marxism and theology in the work of Ernst Bloch, Walter Benjamin, Louis Althusser, Henri Lefebvre, Antonio Gramsci, Terry Eagleton, Slavoj iek and Theodor Adorno. This volume consists of a critical commentary on the interactions between Marxism and theology in the work of the major figures of Western Marxism. It deals with the theological writings of Ernst Bloch, Walter Benjamin, Louis Althusser, Henri Lefebvre, Antonio Gramsci, Terry Eagleton, Slavoj Žižek and Theodor Adorno. In many cases their theological writings are dealt with for the first time in this book. It is surprising how much theological material there is and how little commentators have dealt with it. Apart from the critical engagement with the way they use theology, the book also explores how their theological writings infiltrate and enrich their Marxist work. The book has three parts: Biblical Marxists (Bloch and Benjamin), Catholic Marxists (Althusser, Lefebvre, Gramsci and Eagleton), and the Protestant Turn (Žižek and Adorno). This Volume Consists Of A Critical Commentary On The Interactions Between Marxism And Theology In The Work Of The Major Figures Of Western Marxism. It Deals With The Theological Writings Of Ernst Bloch, Walter Benjamin, Louis Althusser, Henri Lefebvre, Antonio Gramsci, Terry Eagleton, Slavoj Zizek And Theodor Adorno. In Many Cases Their Theological Writings Are Dealt With For The First Time In This Book.--jacket. Bloch's Detective Work -- Benjamin's Perpetuation Of Biblical Myth -- The Ecclesiastical Eloquence Of Louis Althusser -- The Heresies Of Henri Lefebvre -- The Ecumenism Of Antonio Gramsci -- The Apostasy Of Terry Eagleton -- The Conversion Of Slavoj Žižek -- Adorno's Vacillation. By Roland Boer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [453]-461) And Indexes.