Abstract

Available from UMI in association with The British Library. ;The aim of the thesis is to identify the utopian content within both Marxism and Christianity, and to consider the possibility of constructing a political theology based upon a humanist and utopian interpretation of Marxism. ;After some preliminary reflection on the concept of utopia, the existence of a utopian core in Marx's thought is demonstrated through a consideration of his early writings, his materialist conception of history and his mature economic theory. The view of utopianism espoused is strongly humanist rather than determinst, placing the emphasis on the need for conscious human action in the transition to socialism. ;There follows a chapter on Ernst Bloch, whose work shows both the importance of utopianism for Marxism, and the utopian content within the Christian tradition. ;The second half of the thesis includes chapters on two influential political theologies, those of Paul Tillich and Jurgen Moltmann, critically examining their eschatology and contribution to dialogue with Marixst theory. In the final chapter it is argued that when the utopian content of Christianity is brought to the fore, and with it the will to work for the realization of the Kingdom of God within history itself, and not just transcendentally, the community of interest and purpose with the Marxist utopia of a society free of injustice and alienation is evident, and justifies the attempt to develop a political theology in union with socialist utopianism. The potential objections to such a political theology are considered