Antichrist as (Anti)Charisma: Reflections on Weber and the ‘Son of Perdition’

Religions

关键词: apocalypticism;    charisma;    Weber;    antichrist;    Bible;    US presidency;   

DOI  :  10.3390/rel4010077

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The figure of Antichrist, linked in recent US apocalyptic thought to President Barack Obama, forms a central component of Christian end-times scenarios, both medieval and modern. Envisioned as a false-messiah, deceptive miracle-worker, and prophet of evil, Antichrist inversely embodies many of the qualities and characteristics associated with Max Weber’s concept of charisma. This essay explores early Christian, medieval, and contemporary depictions of Antichrist and the imagined political circumstances of his reign as manifesting the notion of (anti)charisma, compelling but misleading charismatic political and religious leadership oriented toward damnation rather than redemption.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.