Agnosticism and eschatological hope: Allard Pierson and hope beyond the moment of not-knowing
Hope beyond certainty is a significant element in contemporary theological discourse after the death of God. This relation between hope and uncertainty is not new. In the nineteenth century, a growing number of intellectuals started to call themselves agnostic, but did not always end up in scepticis...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis
2023
|
| In: |
International journal of philosophy and theology
Year: 2023, Volume: 84, Issue: 2, Pages: 99-113 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Pierson, Allard 1831-1896
/ Agnosticism
/ Hope
/ Insecurity
|
| RelBib Classification: | AB Philosophy of religion; criticism of religion; atheism NBQ Eschatology TJ Modern history |
| Further subjects: | B
the postsecular
B Allard Pierson B Agnosticism B Radical Theology B Hope |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | Hope beyond certainty is a significant element in contemporary theological discourse after the death of God. This relation between hope and uncertainty is not new. In the nineteenth century, a growing number of intellectuals started to call themselves agnostic, but did not always end up in scepticism and nihilism. On the contrary, new ways to search for meaning and fulfilment in life beyond the traditional answers of institutional religions (i.e. the church) were explored. The Dutch intellectual Allard Pierson (1831–1896) is a good case in point. From a contemporary postsecular perspective and radical theology, this article argues that Pierson’s agnosticism should not be seen as an attitude of indifference, but as opening up the possibility for an eschatological hope beyond certainty. First, the (im)possibility of hope is discussed by debating the views of David Newheiser, Richard Kearney, and John D. Caputo. Second, the article analyses Pierson’s view by focusing upon hermeneutics instead of epistemology, an openness to transcendence, and imagination. The article thereby contributes to the understanding of nineteenth-century religious and secularisation developments as well as to contemporary theological debates on the (im)possibility of faith and hope after the death of God. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2169-2335 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: International journal of philosophy and theology
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1080/21692327.2023.2224372 |