From Critical Theory to Critical Political Theology: Personal Autonomy and Universal Solidarity (American University Studies. Series VII. Theology and Religion)

At present, in European and American civil society a new paradigm of doing not only psychology, sociology and philosophy, but also comparative religiology and theology is emerging: it is called communicative rationality and action. A new communicative theology and religiology are also arising. Their central theme is the theodicy problem. The present study approaches this theme in the framework of a critical political theology and comparative religiology in a narrative and discursive fashion. In search for a solution to the theodicy problem, we explore with the help of the critical theory from Max Horkheimer through Walter Benjamin and Theodor W. Adorno to Jürgen Habermas, and with the assistance of the new political theology from Johann B. Metz through Helmut Peukert to Edmund Arens, the psychological, sociological, philosophical and theological constellation of universal freedom, reconciliation, and non-possessive love and solidarity out of personal autonomy and sovereignty.