Middlesex University Research Repository An open access repository of Middlesex University research http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk Edwards, Brian (2018) Self-deception at the intersection of Friedrich Nietzsche and the Apostle Paul. PhD thesis, Middlesex University / Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. [Thesis] Final accepted version (with author’s formatting) This version is available at: https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/23527/ Copyright: Middlesex University Research Repository makes the University’s research available electronically. Copyright and moral rights to this work are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners unless otherwise stated. The work is supplied on the understanding that any use for commercial gain is strictly forbidden. A copy may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial, research or study without prior permission and without charge. 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See also repository copyright: re-use policy: http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/policies.html#copy Self-deceptionABSTRACT at the Intersection of Friedrich Nietzsche and the Apostle Paul Brian Andrew Edwards OCMS, PhD 2017 ABSTRACT Self-deception is a key component in Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of ressentiment. It also plays a significant role in Paul’s notion of the fall. This thesis explores issues of self-deception in the realm of Nietzsche-Paul discourse. Specifically, Nietzsche’s explication of self-deception inherent in ressentiment is used to elucidate Paul’s usage of self-deception in the context of the fall. Nietzsche’s work on ressentiment is set in historical context to identify circumstances, people, and events that influenced development of his overall thought. A literature review is also supplied to appreciate the development of ressentiment. The primary source for Nietzsche’s treatment of ressentiment are his late works. Analysis of Nietzschean ressentiment is conducted through them, first by means of a genealogical study of the castes of ressentiment, then in terms of an examination of the mechanism of ressentiment. This supplies a knowledge of the fundaments and workings of ressentiment requisite to identify its crowning feature, self-deception. The resulting platform allows a fresh reading of Pauline fallenness, specifically concerning the notion of self-deception, in terms of the internalisation and moralisation of ressentiment. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, particularly Chapters 1 and 2, is the material for this reading. The correspondence between select contours of Pauline fallenness and those of Nietzschean ressentiment validates the hypothesised association, propelling the investigation of self-deception forward. This brings to light a congruence of self-deception between the Nietzschean ressentiment-man and the Pauline fallen-man. It also recommends a driving motive for self-deception, fear of death. Death as a theme for Nietzsche is examined both biographically and philosophically. Seminal conclusions from the thesis argument are reviewed, contributions to the existing literature are offered, and significance of the project for the psychology of religion is discussed. FRONTISPIECE The world will be standing on its head for the next few years: since the old God has abdicated, I shall rule the world from now on. – Friedrich Nietzsche in a letter to Carl Fuchs, 18 Dec. 1888 These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also. – Luke the physician on the Apostle Paul and his companions, Acts of the Apostles, 17:6 SELF-DECEPTIONTITLE AT THE PAGE INTERSECTION OF FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE AND THE APOSTLE PAUL A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Middlesex University Brian Andrew Edwards Director of Studies: Stephen N. Williams Second Supervisor: Benno van den Toren House Tutor: Bernard Farr October 2017 Oxford Centre for Mission Studies Middlesex University DECLARATIONS DECLARATION 1 This work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not being concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree. Signed Date 1 October 2017 DECLARATION 2 This thesis is the result of my own investigations, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by inline citations, footnotes, or explicit references. A bibliography of all works mentioned is appended. Signed Date 1 October 2017 DECLARATION 3 I hereby give consent for my thesis, if approved, to be available for photocopying by the British Library and for Inter-library Loan, for open access to the Electronic Thesis Online Service (EthoS) linked to the British Library, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed Date 1 October 2017 Brian Andrew Edwards Copyright © 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Friedrich Nietzsche and the Apostle Paul were both big on the body. Just as a body is comprised of parts, so this thesis is a work of many. My Director of Studies, Stephen Williams, illuminated my project in terms of substance and style. Were I to record all his suggestions and directions in footnotes, they would rival the word count of the body of my thesis. Regardless of how juvenile my questions may have come across, his typical response was seasoned with grace. I am privileged to have sat in his shadow. My debt extends also to the entire faculty of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies who laboured to make the lonely enterprise of doctoral research a collegial one. The greater amongst equals for my sake was Ben Knighton. In the face of innumerable enquiries pertaining to both content and form of my thesis, he manifested the patience of Job and the wisdom of Solomon. To thank him once again is still to be in deficit. I must also thank our librarian, Ralph Bates. He seemed to know quite a bit about everything, and when he did not, he knew where to direct me. I am grateful that the breadth of his ken was matched by the wideness of his open-door policy. There are others whose support was more atmospheric but no less vital. I met Don Apley twenty years ago. The first words I remember him uttering were, ‘I stand ready to serve’, and I have never known him to abandon his post. I am grateful for his ad hoc service to me on my thesis journey. Warren and Betty Wiersbe also walked with me the entire way of this project, support me in more ways than I can count, all of which accrued to tremendous encouragement to keep on keeping on. Roger Trigg began as a technical consultant of sorts, and while he remained ever-ready to answer thesis-related questions, he gradually took on the role of thesis-mentor. The same can be said of Stuart Judge, whose words of encouragement were timelier than he knows, and whose help has been eminently practical. I am blessed to call him a friend. Four other friends whom I call brothers have also marked my thesis journey. Eric Howard’s own trials along the thesis trail resulted both emotional and material support. Matthew Schultz lent his tech expertise to resolve glitches in my Microsoft document, as did Mark Graham, whose agile and analytical mind were also indispensable in helping resolve defects in my argument. Tom Reed’s above-and-beyond assistance in revising also helped improve major aspects of the project. Mistakes tend to mount as words multiply, and my manuscript is a myriad of words. To mitigate rudimentary errors, a platoon of proof readers rallied to my aid. I i salute Don Apley, Micchel Bannert, Ralph Bates, Mark and Kristi Chalemin, Kirk Cox, Ben Crelin, Ruth Drew, Valerie Drum, Hope Edwards, Kathy Edwards, Chris Foreman, Mark Graham, Kiersten Haugen, Stuart Judge, Thom Justice, Garrick Little, Steve McMaster, Matt Schultz, Karen Morrow, John Ottoson, Christy Pearson, Tom Reed, Lois Scheyer, Nancy Sherrill, Debbie Sulzbach, and ‘Lisabeth Wissink and Lorene Wissink. Any mistakes that snuck through the ranks remain my sole responsibility. Finally, family. Ruth Drew is woman whom I did not know upon arriving in Oxford, but one whom I will never forget upon leaving. She has become family to me, as have many of her relations. Together, they have fleshed out Jesus’ promise in Mark 10:29-30 to all who follow Him. My children tolerated years of absence, even when I was home. Graciously, they expressed interest in the face of what I’m sure was a boring tendency to relate everything to themes in my project. Hope, in particular, made her interest practical by investing both time and energy in giving me extensive critique on several chapters. Saving the best for last, my wife, Kathy, did it all. Her short-order cooking serves as a metaphor for handling the volume of miscellany when I was overseas, to say nothing of when I was home. Not only did she keep the home fires burning, she carried the torch abroad to cheer me in my travels when I needed her. I thank the Lord for her, and for all those who make up the body that has helped bring this project to fruition.