Abstract / DOI
Apocalypse of the Occidental Spirit: Aspects and Stages of the Intellectual Relationship between Jacob Taubes and Hans Urs von Balthasar. The article shows the presence of Hans Urs von Balthasar in the thinking of the religious philosopher Jacob Taubes (1923–1987). Based on an unknown text by Taubes from 1977, in which he defends Balthasar against criticism, the essay explores the motives for this intervention. Hans Urs von Balthasar was a partner in an almost lifelong intellectual exchange with Taubes, a «solitary dialogue» that began at the time of his work on Occidental Eschatology. Taubes’ and Balthasar’s «solitary dialogue» was opposed to the mainstream of Jewish-Christian dialogue. Various central theoretical motifs of this theological-philosophical debate are presented, such as the discussion about the possibility of a «final synthesis», the «differentiation of spirits» or the relationship of the individual to the church. The productivity of Balthasar’s thinking can be revealed in Taubes’ reception.