The Politics of Immortality in Rosenzweig, Barth and Goldberg: Theology and Resistance Between 1914-1945

Mårten Björk explores the political implications of theological configurations of immortality and eternal life from 1914-1945, highlighting the resistance to the reduction of life to race, blood, and soil. He examines the key writings of Franz Rosenzweig, Karl Barth, and Oskar Goldberg to situate their ideas in relation to the political turmoil of the period.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

From 1914 to 1945, Mårten Björk delves into the central significance of theological configurations of immortality and eternal life, exploring the key writings of Franz Rosenzweig, Karl Barth, and Oskar Goldberg to contextualize their ideas within the political turmoil of the period. This exploration constitutes what Björk refers to as a "politics of immortality," as the conversations happening among Christian and Jewish theologians and philosophers during this time focused on the nature of immortality and eternal life. The speculative question of eternal life emerged as a means to address the meaning of "a good life" in a time when millions of lives were lost to war, camps, and prisons. This book demonstrates how theology was intricately linked to central political concepts and ideas of the era, revealing how the pursuit of immortality by Rosenzweig, Barth, and Goldberg became a way to resist the reduction of life to race, blood, and soil. By situating the precise political consequences of theological and metaphysical theories of immortality and eternal life, Björk's discussion of Rosenzweig, Barth, and Goldberg confronts the perennial question on the relation between life and death and exposes the important connections between political theology and philosophical posthumanism.

Introduction:
The period from 1914 to 1945 witnessed significant political upheaval, marked by the rise of social Darwinism, nationalism, and fascism. These ideologies posed profound challenges to the prevailing theological and metaphysical frameworks of the time. The question of immortality and eternal life became particularly relevant in this context, as it sought to address the meaning of life in the face of immense suffering and loss. In this book, Mårten Björk explores the key writings of Franz Rosenzweig, Karl Barth, and Oskar Goldberg to situate their ideas in relation to the political turmoil of the period. By examining the theological configurations of immortality and eternal life during this time, Björk aims to demonstrate how these ideas became a means to resist the reduction of life to mere physicality and to affirm the inherent value of human existence.

Franz Rosenzweig:
Franz Rosenzweig, a prominent Jewish philosopher and theologian, played a crucial role in shaping the theological discourse on immortality and eternal life during the period. His writings, particularly "The Star of Redemption," sought to explore the relationship between religion and secularism in the modern world. Rosenzweig argued that religion could provide a source of hope and meaning in a world that was increasingly secularized and materialistic. He also emphasized the importance of the individual's spiritual journey and the quest for transcendence.

However, Rosenzweig's ideas were not without their political implications. He was deeply influenced by the rise of social Darwinism and nationalism, which posited that certain races and nations were inherently superior to others. Rosenzweig criticized these ideologies for their reductionist and racist tendencies, arguing that they ignored the inherent value of every human life. He believed that religion could serve as a bulwark against the forces of nationalism and social Darwinism, providing a universalistic and ethical framework for human existence.

In his writings, Rosenzweig also explored the concept of messianism and the idea of a messianic age. He believed that the coming of the messiah would usher in a new era of spiritual and moral transformation, in which human beings would be reunited with their divine nature. This vision of messianism provided a way for individuals to find meaning and purpose in the face of political and social turmoil.

Karl Barth:
Karl Barth, another influential theologian of the period, approached the question of immortality and eternal life from a different perspective. He was a Protestant Christian who believed in the absolute sovereignty of God over all things. Barth argued that the concept of immortality and eternal life was not a matter of human speculation or imagination, but rather a revelation of God's nature and will. He believed that the ultimate destiny of human beings was not to live forever in physical bodies, but to be united with God in a state of eternal glory.

Barth's theological framework was deeply rooted in the concept of the Trinity, which he saw as the foundation of all Christian belief. He argued that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were three distinct persons but one divine essence. This unity of essence was the basis for the possibility of human redemption and the ultimate destiny of human beings. Barth also emphasized the importance of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the means of human salvation.

However, Barth's ideas were also politically charged. He was deeply concerned about the rise of fascism and the threat it posed to human dignity and freedom. He argued that the ultimate enemy of human beings was not physical death, but spiritual death, which was caused by the sin of pride and self-centeredness. Barth believed that the cross of Jesus Christ was the only means of overcoming this sin and achieving eternal life.

Oskar Goldberg:
Oskar Goldberg, a Jewish philosopher and theologian, also contributed to the theological discourse on immortality and eternal life during the period. He was influenced by both Rosenzweig and Barth, but he approached the question from a different perspective. Goldberg was concerned with the ethical and political implications of the concept of immortality and eternal life. He argued that the pursuit of immortality could lead to a disregard for the finite nature of human existence and the importance of human relationships.

Goldberg believed that the ultimate goal of human life should be to live a meaningful and ethical life, in which individuals were able to cultivate their talents and contribute to the betterment of society. He argued that the concept of immortality and eternal life could be used as a means to justify the exploitation and oppression of others, as it suggested that human beings were above the laws of nature and could transcend the limitations of time and space.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the theological configurations of immortality and eternal life during the period from 1914 to 1945 were of central importance in shaping the political and social landscape of the time. Franz Rosenzweig, Karl Barth, and Oskar Goldberg approached the question of immortality from different perspectives, but they all shared a common belief in the inherent value of human existence and the importance of resisting the reduction of life to mere physicality. Their ideas were deeply influenced by the political turmoil of the period, but they also provided a way for individuals to find meaning and purpose in the face of immense suffering and loss. By exploring the political consequences of theological and metaphysical theories of immortality and eternal life, Björk's book sheds light on the important connections between political theology and philosophical posthumanism.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350228269