Pynchon as propaganda

[s~Z]

>>>Indeed. As yet, no-one has been able to come up with one Christian
theologian who uses the term "nothingness". Both Sartre and Heidegger do.<<<

Here's a third theologian who does, and probably more to the point:

Calvin, from the Institutes:

But to advert no farther to this righteousness, which is incomprehensible, I
only say, that if our life is brought to the standard of the written law, we
are lethargic indeed if we are not filled with dread at the many
maledictions which God has employed for the purpose of arousing us, and
among others, the following general one: "Cursed be he that confirmeth not
all the words of this law to do them," (Deut. 27: 26.) In short, the whole
discussion of this subject will be insipid and frivolous, unless we sist
ourselves before the heavenly Judge, and anxious for our acquittal,
voluntarily humble ourselves, confessing our nothingness.

In fine, the nothingness of human strength in the spiritual contest is
briefly shown by John, when he says, that "Whosoever is born of God does not
commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him" (1 John 3: 9.) He elsewhere gives
the reasons "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith,"
(1 John 5: 4.)

Moreover, when the Lord, offended and, as it were, fatigued with our
obstinate perverseness, leaves us for a while, (by withdrawing his word, in
which he is wont in some degree to manifest his presence,) and makes trial
of what we will do in his absence, from this it is erroneously inferred,
that there is some power of free will, the extent of which is to be
considered and tried, whereas the only end which he has in view is to bring
us to an acknowledgement of our utter nothingness.