Marx Or Jesus

At what point does a theology become an ideology? How can a Christian distinguish the two? Jacques Ellul has always taken pains to differentiate them, but in this book he provides both a theoretical framework and important examples. Some popular theologies, particularly those that attempt to intertwine biblical theology with Marxist thought, fall into the trap of reaching "theological" conclusions by other means, Ellul believes, so that we cannot consider them as true theologies. From both a biblical-theological and sociopolitical perspective Ellul examines the attempt to relate Christianity to Marxist thought. By reviewing in detail several key Marxist-Christian books, Ellul exposes the weaknesses of so-called Marxist Christianity (which he says is neither Marxist nor Christian), and argues that the biblical perspective takes exception to all political power, leaving Christian anarchism as the realistic revolutionary option. The preface by translator Joyce Main Hanks provides an excellent introduction to the book, showing how it fits into Ellul's thought and how it relates to Ellul's previous work.

Autobiography of a French Catholic priest who spent ten years as a militant Communist prior to his conversion.

Christianity has for centuries been the dominant religion in Europe and in much of the world beyond. Marxism has inspried the widest and deepest social movements of modern times. The encounters between the two have been correspondingly arduous and complex, ranging from drawn combat to dialogue. In this absorbing study, James Bentley reconstructs one key sequence in the history of the relationship: the dialogue between Marxists and Christians in the German-speaking countries of Europe over the past hundred years. Bentley offers a rich and detailed discussion of the explorations, debates and controversies of the period. The Christian writers discussed here include Blumhardt, Barth and Solle; among Marxists, such contrasting figures as Kautsky and Bloch receive concentrated attention. The historical and political settings of the dialogue are constantly present in Bentley's study-from the First World War to the Vietnamese revolution, from the rise of Stalin to the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Between Marx and Christ makes a fascinating scholarly contribution to the history of European thought-and casts unexpected light on the intellectual orgiins of latter-day "theology of liberation."

Reprint. Originally published: Maryknoll, New York: Orbis, 1974.

Konidaris contracted its Greek language rights. "Easy to read" says BOOKSTORE JOURNAL. Evans contrasts the lives, manifestors, principles, targeted enemies, influence of Marx & Jesus & includes texts of opposing manifestos. In placing the men side by side, Evans enhances understanding by the backdrop each man brings to the other. For if you have some knowledge about one, learning about the other brings perspective, much in the way that learning another language improves knowledge of your native tongue. Excerpt about Marx: "Karl Marx was different. His parents knew it. Others saw it." "And Marx, like Walt Whitman, celebrated himself." "History paints the picture of a man on his way: If he couldn't walk a path yielded to him, he elbowed through the political crowd." Excerpt about Jesus: "Jesus was a Jew. You cannot understand his life apart from Israel...The Bible presents a drama in which the life & spirit of the new covenant intersects with the letter of the old...Resultant tremors shake the foundations...Leaders close in for the kill. At this point Jesus gathers his followers to explain - in story form without handles for his enemies to grab - his heretofore hidden plan. This is his manifesto."

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