The Devil Reads Nietzsche: A Public Theology for the Post-Christian Age

by Michael McEwen

The Devil Reads Nietzsche intends to both excavate Nietzsche and explicate how American culture has selectively adopted and appropriated Nietzschean ideals into its stories, symbols, and practices. To be clear, this project is more than a historical excavation of Nietzsche; it’s primary aim is to disciple readers to engage with cultural ideologies from within the biblical-theological narrative, and an interaction with the grandfather of postmodernism and deconstructionism will serve as a “case study” of how we might do this charitably, wisely and winsomely.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Christian Non Fiction, Christian

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2025

Reviews

[Joelendil]

The author of this book provides a good overview of Nietzsche's philosophy and its impact on current culture. Along with this, he attempts to demonstrate a gracious, profitable way for Christians to discuss and argue against it (and against other anti-Christian systems).

I'm not sure how successful he is in his approach. It is certainly more likely to lead to useful discussion than the angry frothing at the mouth point-scoring "debates" you see on the internet. However, to me, his overall approach of "Nietzsche stole from our view to build his so his view is clearly derivative and inferior to our narrative" would be unconvincing to those who didn't already agree with him (to play devil's advocate: who's to say he didn't reform your system into something better? who's to say that both views aren't drawing elements from a third more universal philosophy and are equally derivative and equally wrong/right?). Maybe I didn't follow his argumentation correctly, but I wasn't super impressed (even though as a Christian I am generally in agreement with his point of view). There's some good stuff here, but I don't think it's as powerful as the author thinks it is.

[Isaiah Duff]

McEwen provides an overview of Nietzsche's philosophy, the impact it has had on American culture, responds to Nietzsche, and offers his thoughts for how the church should respond to a culture that has imbibed Nietzschean ideals, particularly his anipathy against Christianity. McEwen's response can be summed up like this: Nietzsche wanted to escape and transcend the Greco-Christian frame, but he never escaped or transcended it, as he could only critique, plagiarize, and parody that frame.

If you've inhabited the meaning-crisis space on the internet, you've undoubtedly heard about Nietzsche. For me, I knew that several works of fiction I'd enjoyed were inspired by his philosophy and I had repeatedly heard Jordan Peterson's praise of his intellect when I listened to him constantly about a decade ago. I had also heard other Christians speak of Nietzsche as a useful critic of inauthentic Christianity. This book helped to demystify my perceptions of the man and his philosophy. McEwen engages with Nietzsche honestly, granting where the man has valid points and where the Christian church has something to learn from him. At the same time, McEwen is able to show the lack of congruity that makes his philosophy fall apart.

I greatly enjoyed this read; though I do have few nitpicks. At times, the book reads like a series of articles submitted for a college assignment. I also think sometimes McEwen is a bit too charitable to Nietzsche. Those nitpicks aside, I think this book hits the bullseye for the modest goal its author chose.

[Ryan]

I really love the way the author helped show the main themes of Nietzsche's writing to help understand the points he makes within his books. As someone who has read and enjoyed Nietzsche, I have struggled to really get insight into his work and this was very helpful. I also really appreciated how the author reveals some Christian response to Neitzsche's thinking.

[Joel Wentz]

Solid, critical engagement with Nietzsche without being shallow. A great overview of his philosophy and a good model of thoughtful response from a Christian perspective.

Video review here: https://youtu.be/hqhTvIHSNHQ

[Justin]

The vision for the project was better than the execution. But the vision is so helpful and important that it is worth the 5 stars. Charitable, wise, winsome, missional public engagement.

[Joel Lomman]

If I was 25% smarter I think I would have appreciated this more. The last chapter though is very helpful, how we ought to live in a Nietzshian world.

[Paytron Ward]

This was a fun read. A great way to engage the relationship between Theology, Philosophy, and cultural impact.