At Monthly Review Zine, Roland Boer asks “why Marxism and theology seem to be so close, why they argue so much, and what it means for both of them,” a set of questions he addresses in, not one, but four books (two of which are completed). In this essay, he outlines his vast endeavor.

Abstract: From the moment Marx and Engels became involved with the League of the Just, Marxism has always had a long and often difficult relation with theology and the Bible.  Some of the leading figures of the twentieth century were no exception—Althusser, Adorno, Gramsci, Lefebvre, Eagleton are just a few.  And in our own day we have the rush of engagements with Paul’s Letters in the New Testament by thinkers on the Left.  In light of my recent book, Criticism of Heaven: On Marxism and Theology, as well as the next book, Criticism of Religion, I ask why Marxism and theology seem to be so close, why they argue so much, and what it means for both of them.  Does it weaken them or are they stronger for the connection?

Read the entire essay here.

Tags: Marxism, Ronald Boer, theology

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