ABSTRACT
In the Conclusion the author critically discusses the import of the previous chapters and outlines the theological implications of the mystery of things, suggesting that it all comes together in a radical theology of marvels and actions. The world, understood as a mystery of things, incites marvel, even awe, and that encourages action—creative, activist additions to the surface of appearance to oppose every oppressive attempt at deterring the expressions of the world. From the pre-1970 Foucault, a radical theology of the mystery of things, the author proposes, would bring the marvels: the humility and the fascination with the surface of appearances. From the post-1970 Foucault, it would bring the actions: the activism motivated by the appreciation of the possibility to take part in creatively transforming the surface. The chapter illuminates different aspects of a radical theology of the mystery of things, including implications on the relation between theology and modern art, as discussed by James Elkin, and on the relation between radical theology and political artistic activism. Conversation partners from different parts of contemporary theology are brought in, such as Catherine Keller, Louise-Marie Chauvet, John Caputo, Daniel Barber, Mark C. Taylor, Jeffrey W. Robbins, and Mattias Martinson.
