The abandoned fiancée, or against subjection

Abstract

In this chapter, I argue-in the wake of Michèle Le Doeuff-against the valorization of subjection that has taken hold of modern theology. Analysing Graham Ward's Christ and Culture, I contend that the recent penchant for an ethics of kenosis in religious thought leads ultimately-despite explicit protestations to the contrary-to a conception of subjectivity as constituted in servitude before Christ. However, this criticism is not-pace Ward-to apply secular, Enlightenment values to a distinct post-secular realm; rather, in the second half of the chapter, I enter into dialogue with Le Doeuff's criticisms of Soren Kierkegaard, in order to suggest that co-existing with Kierkegaard's misogyny towards his abandoned fiancée, there is also an adherence in his work to a Le Doeuffean ethics of friendship. Thus, I conclude, Christianity is not incompatible with modernity. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.