THE CHRISTIAN-MARXIST DEBATE

  • Erasmus van Niekerk UNISA
Keywords: Christianity, Marxism, Judaeo-Christian tradition

Abstract

“Der Herr Pfarrer spricht weder von dem Cancan Noch van der Polka, sondern von dem Tanze schlechthin, von der Kategorie des Tanzes, die nirgends getanzt wird als unter seinen kritischen Hirnschäde”  Marx/Engels The notion of Christianity and Marxism confronting each other in endless controversy, rather like two quarrelsome brothers, has grown up over the past twenty years.  Christian protagonists justify the debate by pointing out that the original impulses of Marxism emanated largely from the Judaeo-Christian tradition, which contains certain nearly Christian motifs.  Christians and Marxists should therefore apply themselves to their common mandate of shaping history and the future.  Those who are opposed to such a debate maintain, particularly with reference to the communist experiment in Russia, that Marxism (in the guise of communism) plays havoc with “Christian western civilization”, demolishes “religion” with its atheistic criticism, and violates the individuality of “man” with its collective approach.

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Author Biography

Erasmus van Niekerk, UNISA
University of South Africa Pretoria
Published
2023-07-17
Section
Articles