The Theology of Carl Schmitt's Political Theology Articles uri icon

authors

  • RAE, GAVIN

publication date

  • November 2016

start page

  • 555

end page

  • 572

issue

  • 6

volume

  • 17

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1462317X (ISSN)

abstract

  • The theological turn in studies of Carl Schmitt is pronounced. This paper does not challenge this turn, but questions what theology means for Schmitt. Specifically, it challenges the assumption that Schmitt's political theology is grounded in divine revelation. By distinguishing between "theology in the sense of divine revelation" and "theology in the sense of epistemic faith," it argues that Schmitt's political theology is epistemic in origin. Schmitt's political theology is not rooted in faith in divine revelation, but in the narrower notion that human cognition is, ultimately, rooted in faith not reason, revelation, or common sense. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

keywords

  • schmitt; theology; political theology; faith; divine revelation