At the Crossroads of Atheism and the Christian Faith

A Theological View of the Thought of Albert Camus

Abstract

The article provides a brief theological view of the thought of Albert Camus on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of his death. Central to this reflection is Camus' atheism and his understanding of Christianity. The first section expounds the absurd thought from the aspect of freedom. The author points out the common points but also the differences between the Christian understanding of freedom and that of Camus. The second section of the article illustrates the »rebellious man« and the third, the man of love, that is the man involved in the world as Camus sees it. Again, great similarities to the Christian faith can be noted. Moreover, his reflections can assist Christians in uncovering that which they often seem to forget and which is the essence of faith itself: love for the world and one's neighbour, grace and empathy. However, his criticism of Christianity does not affect Christianity per se but rather the distorted image of Christianity. Camus himself does not perceive the profound meaning of other Christian truths and their positive implications for activity in the world and for the world: faith in God, the Resurrection.