His Jewish identity, Jewish theology, and even Christian theology, though often overlooked by the majority of scholars, actually playa key role in the formation of Horkheimer's thoughts. Moreover, many features of Marxism, especially Marxism from the Frankfurt School-for instance, the linear view of history, salvation for the world, final judgment, and various eschatological metaphors-are all conceptually akin to basic ideas in theology. Theology started to shape Horkheimer's thinking ever since he was a young scholar, and its effect on him became noticeably pronounced in his later years.