Beyond Good and Evil · Chapter
Faith explained
The chapter contrasts the early Christian faith, born in a skeptical Roman world, with the simpler, more brutal faith of northern reformers.
What happens
The chapter contrasts the early Christian faith, born in a skeptical Roman world, with the simpler, more brutal faith of northern reformers. It characterizes the Christian faith as a sacrifice of intellectual freedom and pride—a form of self-mutilation and cruelty suited to a refined conscience. This faith, epitomized by Pascal's 'suicide of reason,' is presented as a slave morality that revolted against the noble, tolerant, and skeptical spirit of Rome, with its inversion of values ('God on the Cross') promising a transvaluation. The chapter concludes by linking the slave's desire for the unconditional and hatred of noble indifference to suffering as a cause of the French Revolution.
Themes in this chapter
Master vs. Slave Morality
Contrasts the noble, light-minded toleration and skepticism of Rome (master) with the unconditional, tyrannous, and suffering-obsessed faith of early Christianity and the slave revolt it inspired.
The Role of Religion
Analyzes Christian faith as a form of intellectual sacrifice and self-derision, a tool of revenge by the Oriental slave against Roman 'non-faith,' and a catalyst for transvaluation and revolt.
Characters to notice
- Blaise Pascal
His faith is described as a terrible, continuous suicide of reason, exemplifying the self-mutilating Christian faith of a refined conscience.
- Christianity
Analyzed as a faith of sacrifice, subjection, and cruelty from its inception, adapted to a tender, fastidious conscience and representing a slave revolt against Roman nobility.
- Europeans
Referenced via the 'French Revolution' as the culmination of the slave insurrection driven by a hatred of noble skepticism toward suffering.
Key passages
“this faith is not that sincere, austere slave-faith by which perhaps a Luther or a Cromwell... remained attached to his God and Christianity”
Early Christian faith differed from the simpler, brutal piety of northern reformers like Luther or Cromwell.
Distinguishes between types of religious adherence.
“The Christian faith from the beginning, is sacrifice: the sacrifice of all freedom, all pride, all self-confidence of spirit”
Christianity fundamentally demands the surrender of intellectual independence and self-esteem.
Defines the core nature of the faith as submission.
“"God on the Cross." ... it promised a transvaluation of all ancient values.”
The paradox of a crucified deity represented a shocking inversion and promised to overthrow all previous values.
Highlights the revolutionary and offensive nature of the central Christian symbol.
“It was the Orient, the profound Orient, it was the Oriental slave who thus took revenge on Rome”
Early Christianity was an act of revenge by Eastern slaves against the tolerant Roman spirit.
Posits Christianity as a historical act of ressentiment.
“"Enlightenment" causes revolt, for the slave desires the unconditioned”
Intellectual freedom provokes rebellion because the slave mentality craves absolute, tyrannical certainty.
Links skepticism to slave revolt; defines the slave's psychological need.