Theology and social theory - MILBANK

In recent years, theology has tried to legitimate itself by absorbing the method and conclusions of the social sciences. However, the author of this work believes theologians are too little aware of the theological assumptions, or else unfounded polemics against religion, built into these disciplines themselves. In retracing the genesis of "scientific" discourses about society, from the 17th century to the present day, this book brings these assumptions to light, and shows how their hidden presence compromises claims to scientific status. It then proceeds to call into question the whole enterprise of sociology of religion and argues that recent political theology has overrated Marxism and sociology, while neglecting the claims of specifically Christian traditions of social reflection.;These arguments in many ways accord with some of the implications of post-modern thought, but in the final part of the book, it is shown why Christianity is uniquely able to challenge post-modern nihilism. The author draws on the diverse theses of Aladair Macintyre, Gillian Rose, Rene Girard and the "nouveaux philosophers" but modifies their approaches through a re-appropriation of Augustine's "City of God".;Besides developing a specific and highly controversial argument, the book provides a comprehensive treatment of the relation between theology and social theory, all the way from Plato to Baudrillard.