Immanuel Kant is often referred to as the philosopher of Protestantism because he provides a model for mediating successfully between a modern scientific world view and theism. This reading of Kant's religious thought suggests that he is in fact more accurately read as a precursor to 19th-century atheism than to liberal Protestant theology. Michalson locates major themes in Kant's philosophy that are more continuous with 19th-century atheism than with constructive theology. The problem of God in Kant turns out to be the problem of retaining authentic references to God in light of the self-inventing character of Kant's theory of human freedom. The book explores several ways in which this problem comes to light in Kant's philosophy, including an extended examination of Kant's own moral proof of the existence of God. Finally, Michalson suggests that, in his effort to develop a theory of human freedom consistent with his Enlightenment ideals, Kant produced a philosophical vision that ultimately absorbs heaven into earth.
