Theology and Social Theory

Discusses the relationship between theology and social theory, calling into question the whole enterprise of sociology of religion, and arguing that contemporary political theology has overrated Marxism and sociology in neglecting the importance of Christian traditions of social thought.

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In recent years, theology has tried to legitimate itself by absorbing the method and conclusions of the social sciences. However, theologians are too little aware of the theological and anti-theological assumptions built into these disciplines themselves.In retracing the genesis of scientific discourses about society, John Milbank's highly acclaimed book (now available in paperback) brings these assumptions to light, and shows how their hidden presence compromises claims to scientific status. On this basis it calls into question the whole enterprise of sociology of religion, and argues that contemporary political theology has overrated Marxism and sociology in neglecting the importance of specifically Christian traditions of social thought. At the same time as developing a specific and controversial argument, the book provides the only existing comprehensive treatment of the relation between theology and social theory, all the way from Plato to Deleuze.