Join Peter Rollins, a thinker known for his innovative 'Church of the Contradiction,' as he dives into radical theology and the concept of the death of God. He explores why traditional beliefs may feel insufficient and playfully connects Bigfoot to quantum physics. The conversation navigates existential struggles, community through shared experiences, and the powerful role of liturgy. Rollins also delves into how confronting mortality can lead to profound personal insights, revealing the complexities of faith and belief in the modern world.
Radical theology challenges traditional beliefs by emphasizing the significance of the death of God as a means to confront existential alienation.
The integration of psychoanalysis within theology fosters communal experiences through shared struggles rather than mere dogmatic adherence.
Deep dives
The Dual Influence of Zizek
The speaker discusses the profound influence of Slavoj Zizek on their intellectual development and philosophical exploration. Initially encountering Zizek's work during their PhD, the speaker found a deep connection with Zizek's writings, particularly 'The Fragile Absolute,' which resonated as a pivotal moment of awakening to new ideas. This engagement led to the incorporation of psychoanalytic theory into their thinking, allowing them to bridge gaps between theology and philosophical practice. Zizek's contributions span various disciplines, including political theory and psychoanalysis, enabling the speaker to forge a unique intersection of thought centered around the complexities of existence.
Defining Radical Theology
Radical theology is articulated as a critical engagement with traditional notions of the divine, focusing on the concept of negativity that transcends material existence. By emphasizing the death of God, radical theology invites a profound contemplation of existence beyond conventional spiritual assurances, instead, recognizing absence as an inherent aspect of reality. This theological framework extends from historical figures such as Paul and Nietzsche to contemporary discourse, re-evaluating how the void shapes human experience. The speaker presents radical theology as a pathway through which individuals can confront and embrace existential alienation rather than flee from it.
The Role of Psychoanalysis in Theology
The speaker highlights the significance of psychoanalysis as a method to explore the intersection of theory and practice within theology, emphasizing the practical applications of psychoanalytic concepts. They argue that just as psychoanalysis bridges high theory and clinical practice, theology should actively engage with the experiences of believers. By integrating psychoanalytic insights, individuals can better understand spiritual experiences, including alienation and desire, allowing for deeper connections to their faith. This relationship ultimately fosters a communal experience built on shared existential struggles rather than on mere dogmatic beliefs.
Communion as a Radical Social Bond
The concept of communion is presented as a new form of social bond, one that unites individuals around shared lack rather than shared identity. This idea moves away from traditional community structures that often create divisions or common enemies and instead embraces the existential void inherent in human experience. The speaker illustrates this through the example of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), where participants come together around their collective experience of lack, forming a bond that acknowledges rather than seeks to mask their struggles. By fostering spaces for communion, the speaker argues that individuals can confront their alienation and embrace their shared humanity in a richer, more profound way.
This week is PART ONE with the wonderful PETER ROLLINS and we’re talking Death of God theology; belief, knowledge, and Faith. We get into Christian Atheism, Peter’s Church of the Contradiction, and why Nothing Lives, Nothing Binds, & Nothing Saves.
What does Bigfoot have to do with ontological incompleteness & Slavoj Žižek’s work on Quantum Physics? Why is Atheism not Atheist enough?
Big thanks to all of you over the years who have asked us to have a chat with Peter…