Unconscious Christianity in Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Late Theology: Encounters with the Unknown Christ

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's idea of "unconscious Christianity" has been overlooked in Bonhoeffer scholarship. Eleanor McLaughlin provides a definition of unconscious Christianity based on a close reading of Bonhoeffer's texts, shedding light on his late work and theological development.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in the final years of his life, delved into a concept he termed unbewußtes Christentum, or unconscious Christianity. While his other ideas from this period have received extensive scholarly attention and hold significant importance in theology and beyond, this particular notion has largely been overlooked. For the first time in Bonhoeffer scholarship, Eleanor McLaughlin offers a definitive definition of unconscious Christianity. Drawing upon a meticulous close reading and analysis of the texts in which Bonhoeffer mentioned the term, she constructs a comprehensive definition of unconscious Christianity that illuminates not only Bonhoeffer's late work but also his theological evolution throughout his career.

From a diverse array of surviving texts, ranging from a scribbled marginal note in his Ethics manuscript to the fiction he wrote in prison, McLaughlin meticulously constructs a detailed definition of unconscious Christianity. This definition sheds light on Bonhoeffer's late work and his theological development as a whole, providing a fresh perspective on his thought.

By exploring the concept of unconscious Christianity, McLaughlin uncovers the profound implications it holds for understanding Bonhoeffer's theology and his role in the history of Christianity. She highlights the ways in which Bonhoeffer's understanding of the unconscious influenced his understanding of God, humanity, and the nature of faith. Through her analysis, McLaughlin demonstrates how Bonhoeffer's work challenges traditional notions of Christianity and offers a new way of thinking about the faith.

In conclusion, Eleanor McLaughlin's groundbreaking work on unconscious Christianity provides a valuable contribution to Bonhoeffer scholarship. By offering a definition of this concept based on a close reading and analysis of Bonhoeffer's texts, she sheds light on his late work and his theological development as a whole. Through her analysis, McLaughlin demonstrates how Bonhoeffer's understanding of the unconscious influenced his understanding of God, humanity, and the nature of faith, offering a fresh perspective on the faith that continues to resonate today.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978708273