Date: Mon, 13 Feb 1995 02:48:46 -0600
From: Jim Elson <jlelson-AT-utdallas.edu>
Subject: Re: nietzsche & christianity


On Sat, 11 Feb 1995, LEO MEEKS wrote:

> On Fri, 10 Feb 1995, Jim Elson wrote:
> 
> > But I do find your suggestion intriguing.  
> > In what way do you see the "Church fathers' ... vision of death of god 
> > ... consonant with nietzsche's...?" 

> Jim,
> 
> Perhapse my suggestion was a bit over-enthusiastic. Nevertheless, what i 
> would like to sugges is that Nietzsche's writing cannot be understood 
> except in relation to Christianity and more importantly if one were to 
> make a genealogoy of the death of god, or nietzsche's notion of herd 
> morality or the will to power one runs into not only hegel and kant but 
> also Luther and Melancthon.  [snip]

I don't think anyone would argue that Nietzsche should be read
outside the historical context of Western culture.

> [snip] -- but we could say with Deleuze in mind that the death of 
> god is nietzsche's active reception of the theology of the cross. it 
> seems of course strange to assert this when nietzsche is understood
>  as an atheist [...] in a sense that he denied the gods. i think 
> nietzsche was more astute than this and it would be interesting to 
> delve into the minute details of the death of god rather than 
> throwing positions back and forth.

Leo, I'm still finding this somewhat incommensurable.  I could of 
course try to guess  your position, but I'd rather have you help me to 
understand.  If you're saying that Nietzsche's position is more complex 
than it is often interpreted, I'd agree.  Please expand.

--Jim
===========================================================================James L Elson:              |<o  When you stare into the abyss too long  o>|
School of Arts & Humanities |<o       the abyss stares back into you.    o>|
University of Texas-Dallas  |                  --Nietzsche--               |


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