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| author | Michael Joseph Oliver |
| title | Limits to Attempted Remedies of the Problem of Exclusion in Christian Discourse: Divine Choice as a Case Study |
| abstract | Using the locus of divine choice (traditionally understood as "divine election") as a case study, this dissertation
will explore the problem of exclusion--as well as the attempt to remedy said problem--through a reading of Derridean deconstruction, liberationist
discourses, and the Christian theological tradition. Given the fact that there appears to be a widespread consensus in the contemporary, academic
study of religion about the problematic nature of exclusion, I examine the problem of exclusion through one of Christianity's most exclusive notions,
namely a notion of divine choice. In this dissertation, I show that a theological concept of divine choosing not only provides a concrete representation
of the problem of Judaeo-Christian exclusivity, but it also epitomizes the difficulties of attempting to remedy this problem. Drawing on the insights of
Derridean deconstruction, I will argue that removing or avoiding exclusion might not be possible; therefore the contemporary, progressive theologian's
task shifts from avoiding exclusion to discerning between which exclusion(s). Through the lens of liberation discourses, I will demonstrate how a certain
kind of exclusivity might still be necessary--even if/when problematic--in order to adequately attain liberation; therefore, liberationists who are wary
of the exclusionary nature of God's preference for one oppressed group should also struggle to find ways to address and be transparent about how liberation
might only be possible through some form of exclusivity, and thus discern whose liberation to pursue and which injustice to focus on. Exploring a more
rigorously theological investigation of divine choice, I will argue that when it is assumed that it is the theologian's work to elect or choose whether
or not to affirm a God who chooses, then God is reduced to an object of the theologian's choice; therefore, theologians concerned about exclusive (divine)
election should also recognize the way(s) in which any such remedy to the problem entails a version of exclusive (human) election, and thus discern between
which exclusionary election and whose choice is it. Ultimately, this dissertation argues that previous attempts to remedy or navigate the preeminent problem
of divine exclusion by avoiding it or merely reducing its exclusivity are inadequate, revealing the problem to be more complex than it initially appears,
and the need to revisit this problem with an even greater vigilance. |
| school | The Theological School, Drew University |
| degree | Ph.D. (2016) |
| advisor | Chris Boesel |
| committee | Catherine Keller
Hyo-Dong Lee |
| full text | MJOliver.pdf |
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