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Faust the Theologian

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This book is a beautifully written masterpiece, detailing the theological implications of Goethe's Faust. The book offers reflections on Goethe's statement that he was a pantheist when it came to science, a polytheist in art and a monotheist in ethics. For the first time, the author uses this statement in the analysis of Faust's development as a theologian, showing this masterpiece in a surprising and totally original way. The analysis begins with a discussion on Faust's role as a natural scientist or pantheist. Faust's mistrust of traditional knowledge is examined and his interests in geology, oceanography and optics are considered. The analysis also includes his perception of nature as a realm inspirited throughout by a single, unifying Power. After the analysis in concluded, the author follows Faust on his journeys to the two Walpurgis Nights. It is here that Faust delights in the polytheistic extravaganzas of Germanic and most especially Greek mythology. In conclusion, the author describes the operatic finale of the book, when Faust's spirit in drawn upward to salvation by the Eternal Feminine. This event marks Faust's evolution into moral philosopher and monotheist. This analysis reveals thematic unities and a dialectical development of Faust's characters that has gone unnoticed until now.

Pelikan was a learned men and the cover claims that he offers insights into Faust of which even German scholars were unaware. That is quite a statement. I was a German major in college and I confess that Pelikan's interpretation is interesting, but not overwhelmingly convincing. The most interesting observation in this work is that MANY scholars have observed how Faust's refusal to interpret John 1:1 in a traditional sense predicted the future twists and turns of German philosophy. Instead of allowing St. John to say, "In the beginning was the Word.." Faust reorders the wording to say, "In the beginning was the sense (der Sinn).." but that does not satisfy him and thus he states, "IN the beginning was Power (die Kraft).." but that too does not satisfy and so Faust concludes, "In the beginning was the deed (die Tat)..." And so Goethe proleptically offers the most penetrating insight into the German mind and spirit (Geist) by anticipating the Enlightenment, Nietzsche and Existentialism. Pelikan's interpretation is interesting, but compare it to standard German literary critics before you establish a firm opinion on the subject. Nevertheless an interesting stab at an oft belabored, yet timeless work.

I cannot understand the praise for this book.Pelikan's comments on Faust are facile and often wrongheaded and his theological commentary is superficial and pseudo intellectual.Even worse he writes in a turgid style that can serve as a potent sedative for those who have trouble sleeping. A major disappointment and a disaster from a scholr whose works I usually admire.