The Politics of Wandering in Michel de Certeau

This article examines Michel de Certeau’s analysis of the declining social and political authority of the Church and its political implications for the life of a Christian. In response to the shifting social dynamics of the West in the latter half of the twentieth century, de Certeau advocates for a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Political theology
Main Author: Benjamins, Jacob (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group 2018
In: Political theology
Year: 2018, Volume: 19, Issue: 1, Pages: 50-60
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Certeau, Michel de 1925-1986 / Christianity / Secularization / Spirituality / Wanderer (Motif)
IxTheo Classification:CB Christian life; spirituality
CH Christianity and Society
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
KDB Roman Catholic Church
Further subjects:B Authority
B Michel De Certeau
B Secularization
B Political Theology
B Hope
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:This article examines Michel de Certeau’s analysis of the declining social and political authority of the Church and its political implications for the life of a Christian. In response to the shifting social dynamics of the West in the latter half of the twentieth century, de Certeau advocates for a poetics of “wandering” wherein Christians have no knowledge of their destination, no place to call their own, and no expectation of arrival. While his position provides enduring insights into the contours of religious belief, de Certeau’s analysis raises questions regarding a contemporary spiritual life. The article argues that de Certeau’s poetics of wandering neglects the dynamics of hope and anticipation in the life of a believer. Further attentiveness to these dynamics suggests a move from a poetics of wandering to a politics of wandering, which includes embracing a less institutionalized Christian political engagement and transgresses untenable secular/religious divides.
Item Description:Das gedruckte Heft ist als Doppelheft erschienen: "Volume 19 Numbers 1-2 February-March 2018"
ISSN:1743-1719
Contains:Enthalten in: Political theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/1462317X.2017.1385669