Tendenzen der Dämonologie

This article aims to explore contemporary approaches to demonology. It begins with an introduction that traces the historical impact of demonological thought and addresses its inherent challenges, particularly within a theological and philosophical framework. In recent years, demonology has expanded into a broad spectrum of scholarship. This article focuses on four central approaches: those rooted in ecclesiopolitical, religious-historical, literary-aesthetic, and receptive-aesthetic perspectives on demonology. It argues that modern demonological study became a tool for engaging with diverse fields of interest that extend beyond the traditional boundaries of theology. The figure of the demon, while remaining enigmatic in its precise meaning, emerges as a cipher for the inexplicable, the fascinating, and the terrifying. The article concludes by outlining future prospects for demonology, drawing on the insights developed throughout the discussion.
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