Hitler's Theology: A Study in Political Religion

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Description

Hitler's Theology investigates the use of theological motifs in Adolf Hitler's public speeches and writings, and offers an answer to the question of why Hitler and his theo-political ideology were so attractive and successful presenting an alternative to the discontents of modernity. The book gives a systematic reconstruction of Hitler's use of theological concepts like providence, belief or the almighty God.

Rainer Bucher argues that Hitler's (ab)use of theological ideas is one of the main reasons why and how Hitler gained so much acquiescence and support for his diabolic enterprise. This fascinating study concludes by contextualizing Hitler's theology in terms of a wider theory of modernity and in particular by analyzing the churches' struggle with modernity. Finally, the author evaluates the use of theology from a practical theological perspective.

This book will be of interest to students of Religious Studies, Theology, Holocaust Studies, Jewish Studies, Religion and Politics, and German History.

Reviews

While Hitler's Theology might seem narrow on the surfacenarrowly centered on Nazism and on Catholic theologyit actually has profound relevance for modern social movements and for general understandings of culture. I immediately found ways to apply Bucher's thinkingand the thinking of Schmitt and Eric Voegelinto my courses on anthropology and on violence....It reminds us that much important work is being done outsidebut just outsideour discipline, and that all scholars share an interest in culture and cultural movements. -- Anthropology Review Database
[A]n original and very interesting [analysis] of Hitlers theologically informed writings and speeches. -- R. Chris Davis, University of Oxford * Journal of Church and State *

Author Bio

Rainer Bucher is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Head of the Department of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Psychology at the University of Graz, Austria.
Rebecca Pohl is a postgraduate student at the University of Manchester, UK.