Comparative Study of the Thoughts of Simone Weil and Dorothee Soelle

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Semnan University

Abstract

Simone Weil and Dorothee Soelle, two Christian theologians, each renders new interpretations of Christian theology. Comparison between the two reveals important similarities and differences. In this article it is tried to study their thoughts by an analytic-comparative method. It is demonstrated that both have critical approaches to institutionalized Christianity and its doctrines, but their spiritual and mystical thoughts seek for existential relation to God. Their theology, due to their messy times, go beyond the traditional issues and are concerned with social and political problems and practical commitment. This attention, among others, leads to a perfect revision in theoretical theodicy. Their intensive attention to spirituality and mysticism is the attractive aspect of their theologies that on one hand balances their critical view to the official Christian doctrines, and on the other hand functions as a spiritual support for activism in political-social sphere. Eventually, one of their main differences lies in their different spiritual and mystical emphases. Weil’s stress on spiritual feature is more than Soelle’s and Soelle’s stress on political issues is more than Weil’s.

Keywords

References

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Religions and Mysticism
Volume 53, Issue 2
March 2021
Pages 380-361

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