Filozofska istraživanja, Vol. 26 No. 2, 2006.
Original scientific paper
God as the Critique of Institutionalized Religion. An Attempt in Reconstructing Karl Jaspers` Philosophical Theology
Danijel Tolvajčić
Abstract
German philosopher Karl Jaspers, in contemplating the meaning of human existence, points his attention to transcendent reality, which is the origin of existence. One of the symbols-markers which makes that transcendence alive, is the concept of ‘God’. Starting with philosophical-historical urges, Jaspers, on the basis of philosophical and Western-Biblical conception of divinity, makes his concept of God as the marker of transcendence. This is unknowable God of single human existence, of whom we do not know anything because he is unthinkable, but we can live within his reality, that is reachable by the way of philosophical faith. In this God, we reach the origin of our existence. Jaspers confronts such a God to a God of religious systems, which suffocates real existential freedom. Dogmas on religion God exclude everybody of different opinion, and are therefore unacceptable, because their unconditionality is absolute. God to whom existence is addressed to, remains hidden by necessity, because this is the only condition for freedom. Religious dogmas and institutions have to become aware of being historically conditioned.
Keywords
Karl Jaspers; existence; instititionalized religion; philosophical theology; transcendence
Hrčak ID:
5908
URI
Publication date:
7.7.2006.
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