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Taking its cue from the renewed interest in theology among Marxist and politically radical philosophers or thinkers, this study inquires into the reasons for this interest in theology focusing on the British literary theorist Terry Eagleton and the Slovenian philosopher and psychoanalyst Slavoj Zizek, as two contemporary prominent Marxist thinkers.

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Introduction Aim and Structure Marxism and Theology How to Read Eagleton and Zizek Eagleton and the Sublunar Sublime Zizek and the Trauma of Faith Ideology as Idolatry or Vice Versa Ideology Critique Beyond the Postmodern The Embodied Self The Moderately Rational Nature of Human Beings Looking Awry Ideology as Doctrine, Ritual, and Belief Ideology and the Real The Continuing Need for a Critique of Ideology The Need for Faith The Creed According to Eagleton Faith, Reason, and Engagement The Adventures of Spirit The Importance of Being Born Again Catholic Thomism and Hegelian Protestantism God, Evil, and Freedom Aquinas and The Void of God Freedom After Nihilism The Reason for Evil Schelling, God and Evil The Abandonment of God Against Idolatry: On Not Quite Being Opposites An Arrested Dialogue Against the Ethics of the Real: Eagleton on Zizek Against the Return to the Symbolic: Zizek on Eagleton On Neighbourly Love An Anatomy of Hope Eschatology Revolution Communism Hope The (Re)turn to Theology Revisited

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"This book is the best treatment we have of two towering public intellectuals Eagleton an Zizek. These two powerful and profound voices are rendered even more relevant by Ola Sigurdson." - Cornel West, professor, Center for African American Studies, Princeton University, USA

"Sigurdson offers a close reading of Eagleton´s and i ek´s Marxist philosophies and their respective theological heritage. The fascinating disclosure of Eagleton´s Catholic and i ek´s Protestant influences gives rise to a reflection on the structural affinities between philosophy and theology and on their shared concern for human emancipation in a world suffering under many forms of alienation. In spite of all differences, it is radical hope, not optimism, which defines both Marxist and Christian approaches to the transformation of this universe. This careful and enlightening study promotes the urgent conversation on hope between critical and self-critical philosophical and theological thinkers." - Werner G. Jeanrond, Professor of Divinity, University of Glasgow, Scotland.

"Ola Sigurdson´s Theology and Marxism in Eagleton and i ek is an accomplished and yet accessible work that makes a significant contribution to the conversation surrounding the connection between theology and radical thought." - Adam Kotsko, assistant professor, Shimer College, USA

"Thorough, mostly accurate and discerning, and animated everywhere by the author´s stylistic clarity and ethical engagement, the book will serve as a good introduction for readers new to Zizek´s and Eagleton´s voluminous, everexpanding oeuvres. It will stand as well as a helpful compendium and source book for scholars more senior in this field." - Matthew Sharpe, Deakin University, Australia

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