Theological tractates
By: Erik Peterson ; edited, translated, and with an introduction by Michael J. Hollerich
Contributors: Hollerich, Michael J., editor, translator
Series: Cultural memory in the present; Cultural memory in the present
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Stanford, California
Language: eng
Number of pages: 256
ISBN-13: 9780804769679; 9780804769686
Copyright date: 2011
Subjects: Theology
Work titles: Theologische Traktate
Description: The essays in "Theological Tractates" were published between 1925 and 1937, during which time Erik Peterson converted from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism. They deal with a range of theological topics{u2014}from the thought of Protestant theologian Karl Barth, to liturgy, the Church in the New Testament, Christianity and Judaism, angels, martyrdom, and mysticism. Among them is Peterson's landmark essay on ancient "political theology," "Monotheism as a Political Problem," which shows how ancient writers{u2014}pagans, Jews, and Christians{u2014}justified earthly monarchy by its parallel with the monotheistic belief in one divinity in heaven. Peterson asserted that such a political theology was incompatible with Christianity, a thesis that became a reference point for modern political theology.
Notes: "Originally published in German in 1951 under the title Theologische Traktate."

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: What is theology?; title: Correspondence with Adolf von Harnack and an epilogue; title: The Church; title: The Church from Jews and Gentiles; title: Monotheism as a political problem : a contribution to the history of political theology in the Roman Empire; title: The book on the angels : their place and meaning in the liturgy; title: Christ as imperator; title: Witness to the truth.