The phenomenology of guilt and the theology of forgiveness

Merold Westphal

pp. 231-261

in: Ronald Bruzina, Bruce Wilshire (eds), Crosscurrents in phenomenology, The Hague, Nijhoff, 1978

Abstract

There is danger at hand for both parties whenever philosophy begins giving advice to theology. For theology there is the twofold danger of false humility and false security. It may come to think itself dependent on philosophy, if not for the answers it gives, at least for the questions it asks and for the form in which those questions may be posed. At the same time it may come to think that this borrowing improves its credit rating, somehow mitigating the otherwise unavoidable offensiveness of its positivity. In sacrificing its autonomy for respectability theology risks selling its spiritual birthright for a mess of pottage.