Nietzsche’s impulse towards the development of a concept of God that transcends modern atheism and theism: a philosophical theological study

Abstract

Nietzsche did not, per se, deny or acknowledge the existence of God with his statement: “Gott ist todt [sic]!” His was a reaction to the concept of God held in his time, namely the modernistic period’s belief in a concept of God tied to the progress in history, rationality and morality. To Nietzsche the god of his time was dead (atheism). He spelt out an important consequence of this death, namely nihilism. His philosophy needs to be interpreted as an impulse towards the development of a concept of God that transcends modern atheism and theism. Barth, Moltmann, Pannenberg and Peters responded to Nietzsche’s problem with regard to the concept of God and its relation to history, rationality and morality. Other postmodern philosophers such as Foucault, Derrida, Levinas and theologians such as Bultmann, Tracy and Van Huyssteen also have a significant contribution to make with regard to the concept of God and its relation to history, rationality and morality. Their thinking assists the four theologians in formulating the concept of God that Nietzsche wanted to develop – a concept of God that transcends modern atheism and theism.