La foi au prix du doute

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Presentation

In this work, Jacques Ellul puts himself into dialogue with the great opponents of Christianity : Celse, Holbach, Marx, and responds with vigour. For this protestant, full of prophetic spirit, the idea of faith is radically different from the idea of believing. Belief is self-assured, indiscreet and easily-led, turning God into an objet of devotion. Faith leaves room for doubt, along with a personal God who has a voice, and a heart that listens and proves itself through the hearts of others.

Jacques Ellul questions the non-believers and believers alike. Remaining suspicious of a particular ecumenical saintliness, he rejects the blind approach of Western Buddhism and will not tolerate certain inflexibilities of the Islamic faith. In his view, pure faith alone can save religious revelation.

A lively and courageous reflection, which serves too as a prayer book of hope.

After a revelation that led him to Christianity and an intensive reading of Marx, Jacques Ellul studied law. He then devoted himself to reflection on the evolution of modern society. He noted the disappearance of rural life and the mechanization of man’s environment. He foresaw the magnitude of this ecological and social “great mutation”.

Considering that technique is the determining factor of modern society, he leads a critique of what he calls “technological tyranny”. He further analyses that technique self-increases, imposing its values of efficiency and technical progress, while denying man’s needs  and  culture as well as the nature.

Sociology is not his only field. His work is composed of theologian and historian output.  Some would also say that he is a philosopher, although he did not define himself as such. 

As a militant anarchist whose ideas are close to situationism, but also as a subtle commentator of Marxist thought and excesses, he was instrumental in the establishment of political ecology and reflections on Christian anarchism. He also wrote many theological works on the Gospel’s subversive and liberating aspects and on the “perversion” which the Christian revelation has suffered from. Some of his other works are thoughts on ethics and on hope.

Jacques Ellul can be considered as one of the fathers of the idea of rational economic decay and voluntary simplicity.

“Jacques Ellul, a true thinker” Royaliste

“A kind of clairvoyant who had already predict everything” Réforme

“His writings remained fiery, the prophet’s voice still resonates” La Croix