The Institute pushed Benjamin toward secularism rather than theology

Evidence

It should be added that the Institut, far from encouraging the theological elements in Benjamin’s thought, as some of its critics have implied, sought to influence him in a more secular direction. The general reaction to the “Theses” within the Institut was not especially favorable. Adorno’s correspondence also shows his disapproval of the Jewish residues in Benjamin’s thought. — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination, 602

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Benjamin’s concept of redemption fused Jewish Messianism with secular socialist revolution — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism: A Marxist…, 638; Benjamin secularized Jewish messianism into his Marxist theory of revolutionary time — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination: A History…, 600; Benjamin’s Marxism retained a Talmudic exegetical mode of thought — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination: A History…, 599 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Benjamin secularized Jewish messianism into his Marxist theory of revolutionary time #corroborates (0.92) — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination, 600
• Benjamin’s Marxism retained a Talmudic exegetical mode of thought #complicates (0.78) — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination, 599