John Milbank and the Theology of Religions (2)

Here is the continuation of the post from yesterday:

Milbank is again demonstrating his conviction that it is Christianity alone which can ultimately serve the cause of justice which pluralism conspicuously fails to do. His view of Christianity as the 'master discourse' is never more apparent. In answer to the criticisms of Western imperialism, Milbank answers that the notions of justice and the Good are themselves inextricably tied up with the West and that the East has no such concept of the Good available to it and so the Eastern religions cannot in fact provide the grounds for concrete ethical action. On the other hand, what Milbank calls the “Platonic-Jewish-Christian mode of social-intellectual imperialism” contains within itself directives to respect the “otherness of the other".

Again, Milbank’s thesis that Christian theology alone can allow for harmony between other discourses in a fundamental ontology of peace comes through here. This respect of the Other, however, has nothing to do with the liberal mode of dialogue which essentially respects the Other only as a mirror of oneself, instead of respecting precisely the otherness of the Other.

Finally Milbank tackles the theory of Raimundo Panikkar who attempts to posit an identity between the Trinitarian difference and neo-Vedantic difference. Milbank claims that, once again, such a project will only lead to the reinforcement of the ideology of liberal society’s pluralism. Milbank ends his essay with the claim that Christianity must continue the work of conversion and only in this context engage in conversation (not ‘dialogue’) between other religions which each represent readings of the nature of Being itself. This will not attempt to play down differences between religions but will respect the ‘otherness of the Other’ whilst at the same time continuing the work of conversion.