In this article, I distinguish between a ‘metaphysical’ and a ‘fictional’ reading of nihilism I argue that John Milbank's opposition and his attempt to ‘outnarrate’ nihilism depends upon a metaphysical reading I argue that such a metaphysical reading of nihilism ultimately refuses all nihilistic implications, and that a metaphysical reading of Nietzsche in particular does undue violence to his texts I claim that only a fictional' nihilism can be an accomplished nihilism, and that only such a nihilism can overcome the absolute opposition between Christianity and nihilism established by Nietzsche and perpetuated by Milbank It is precisely such a ‘fictional’ nihilism that Milbank fails to confront.