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If men's minds were as easily controlled as their tongues, every king would sit safely on his throne, and government by compulsion would cease; for every subject would shape his life according to the intentions of his rulers, and would esteem a thing as true or false, good or evil, just or unjust, in obedience with their dictates. -from "That in a Free State Every Man May Thing What He Likes, and Say What He Thinks" An early voice calling for reason as the ruler of the human mind, and a man with, at best, a Deistic outlook on religion, Spinoza is perhaps the first truly modern philosopher. He is certainly the first modern critic of the Bible. His devoted adherents include many great names of 19th-century literature: Goethe, Coleridge, Shelley, and George Eliot were deeply swayed by his writing; in the 20th century, Albert Einstein claimed Spinoza's deterministic outlook as an abiding influence; understanding the writings of all these figures is greatly enhanced by an appreciation of Spinoza. In Theologico-Political Treatise, first published anonymously in 1670, Spinoza rails against religious intolerance and calls for governments to be entirely secular. His Political Treatise, unfinished at his death, was published only posthumously, and deals with democratic government. Dutch philosopher BENEDICT DE SPINOZA (1632-1677), alternately and paradoxically known as "the best Jew" and "the best atheist," is best known for his Ethics.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
First published in 1670, this is the book that every Bible student, theologian and evangelical Christian should read. Spinoza's excellent knowledge of languages - he mastered Spanish, Portuguese, Latin, German and Hebrew - gave him an unparalleled linguistic access to virtually all the latest works of Hebraic and Christian philosophy.
In A Theologico-Political Treatise, he applies his knowledge and scholarship - both of which soar far above that of all modern Bible commentators - to questions concerning the interpretation and authorship of Scripture. He is unafraid to tackle the most difficult questions that most others ignore or gloss over.
The scope of the book is immense. Spinoza writes on prophecy and prophets, divine law and miracles, the apostolic mission and the definition of faith. He shows how the Pentateuch could not have been written entirely by Moses, as it describes events that occurred after Moses' death. He discusses Old Testament prophecy and points out the inconsistencies to be found in the writings of Old Testament prophets. (For example: God is said never to repent of anything by one prophet, but to repent of his decisions by another.)
Spinoza questions the claim of the Jews to be a chosen people. He distinguishes faith from philosophy. He shows how ancient Hebrew texts can be translated in different ways. He asserts that while the Old Testament is concerned with history and prophecy, the New Testament is concerned with teaching.
One point that came across strongly to me was that it was the Pharisees who decided which writings to include in the Torah, just the prelates of the Roman Catholic Church decided which writings to include in the New Testament. The shocking truth of the matter is that the entire content of what is known as the `Holy Bible' is an assemblage of books put together in one binding as a result of decisions made by authoritarian committees. (Remember: Jesus called the Pharisees a generation of vipers.)
Another passage (on page 25) that jumped out of the page at me sums up Spinoza's philosophy:
`Everything takes place by the power of God. Nature herself is the power of God under another name and our ignorance of the power of God is co-extensive with our ignorance of the power of Nature.'
The Political Treatise is concerned with Freedom of Speech, the Monarchy, Democracy and human rights. In it, Spinoza sets out much of what we now take for granted. In particular, he says that no nation should invade another sovereign state. George W. Bush and Tony Blair take note.
In A Theologico-Political Treatise, he applies his knowledge and scholarship - both of which soar far above that of all modern Bible commentators - to questions concerning the interpretation and authorship of Scripture. He is unafraid to tackle the most difficult questions that most others ignore or gloss over.
The scope of the book is immense. Spinoza writes on prophecy and prophets, divine law and miracles, the apostolic mission and the definition of faith. He shows how the Pentateuch could not have been written entirely by Moses, as it describes events that occurred after Moses' death. He discusses Old Testament prophecy and points out the inconsistencies to be found in the writings of Old Testament prophets. (For example: God is said never to repent of anything by one prophet, but to repent of his decisions by another.)
Spinoza questions the claim of the Jews to be a chosen people. He distinguishes faith from philosophy. He shows how ancient Hebrew texts can be translated in different ways. He asserts that while the Old Testament is concerned with history and prophecy, the New Testament is concerned with teaching.
One point that came across strongly to me was that it was the Pharisees who decided which writings to include in the Torah, just the prelates of the Roman Catholic Church decided which writings to include in the New Testament. The shocking truth of the matter is that the entire content of what is known as the `Holy Bible' is an assemblage of books put together in one binding as a result of decisions made by authoritarian committees. (Remember: Jesus called the Pharisees a generation of vipers.)
Another passage (on page 25) that jumped out of the page at me sums up Spinoza's philosophy:
`Everything takes place by the power of God. Nature herself is the power of God under another name and our ignorance of the power of God is co-extensive with our ignorance of the power of Nature.'
The Political Treatise is concerned with Freedom of Speech, the Monarchy, Democracy and human rights. In it, Spinoza sets out much of what we now take for granted. In particular, he says that no nation should invade another sovereign state. George W. Bush and Tony Blair take note.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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1 review
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
The book every Bible student should read
24 Dec 2007
Format:Paperback
First published in 1670, this is the book that every Bible student, theologian and evangelical Christian should read. Spinoza's excellent knowledge of languages - he mastered Spanish, Portuguese, Latin, German and Hebrew - gave him an unparalleled linguistic access to virtually all the latest works of Hebraic and Christian philosophy.
In A Theologico-Political Treatise, he applies his knowledge and scholarship - both of which soar far above that of all modern Bible commentators - to questions concerning the interpretation and authorship of Scripture. He is unafraid to tackle the most difficult questions that most others ignore or gloss over.
The scope of the book is immense. Spinoza writes on prophecy and prophets, divine law and miracles, the apostolic mission and the definition of faith. He shows how the Pentateuch could not have been written entirely by Moses, as it describes events that occurred after Moses' death. He discusses Old Testament prophecy and points out the inconsistencies to be found in the writings of Old Testament prophets. (For example: God is said never to repent of anything by one prophet, but to repent of his decisions by another.)
Spinoza questions the claim of the Jews to be a chosen people. He distinguishes faith from philosophy. He shows how ancient Hebrew texts can be translated in different ways. He asserts that while the Old Testament is concerned with history and prophecy, the New Testament is concerned with teaching.
One point that came across strongly to me was that it was the Pharisees who decided which writings to include in the Torah, just the prelates of the Roman Catholic Church decided which writings to include in the New Testament. The shocking truth of the matter is that the entire content of what is known as the `Holy Bible' is an assemblage of books put together in one binding as a result of decisions made by authoritarian committees. (Remember: Jesus called the Pharisees a generation of vipers.)
Another passage (on page 25) that jumped out of the page at me sums up Spinoza's philosophy:
`Everything takes place by the power of God. Nature herself is the power of God under another name and our ignorance of the power of God is co-extensive with our ignorance of the power of Nature.'
The Political Treatise is concerned with Freedom of Speech, the Monarchy, Democracy and human rights. In it, Spinoza sets out much of what we now take for granted. In particular, he says that no nation should invade another sovereign state. George W. Bush and Tony Blair take note.
Basic Flying Instruction: A Comprehensive Introduction to Western Philosophy
A Good Boy Tomorrow: Memoirs of A Fundamentalist Upbringing
In A Theologico-Political Treatise, he applies his knowledge and scholarship - both of which soar far above that of all modern Bible commentators - to questions concerning the interpretation and authorship of Scripture. He is unafraid to tackle the most difficult questions that most others ignore or gloss over.
The scope of the book is immense. Spinoza writes on prophecy and prophets, divine law and miracles, the apostolic mission and the definition of faith. He shows how the Pentateuch could not have been written entirely by Moses, as it describes events that occurred after Moses' death. He discusses Old Testament prophecy and points out the inconsistencies to be found in the writings of Old Testament prophets. (For example: God is said never to repent of anything by one prophet, but to repent of his decisions by another.)
Spinoza questions the claim of the Jews to be a chosen people. He distinguishes faith from philosophy. He shows how ancient Hebrew texts can be translated in different ways. He asserts that while the Old Testament is concerned with history and prophecy, the New Testament is concerned with teaching.
One point that came across strongly to me was that it was the Pharisees who decided which writings to include in the Torah, just the prelates of the Roman Catholic Church decided which writings to include in the New Testament. The shocking truth of the matter is that the entire content of what is known as the `Holy Bible' is an assemblage of books put together in one binding as a result of decisions made by authoritarian committees. (Remember: Jesus called the Pharisees a generation of vipers.)
Another passage (on page 25) that jumped out of the page at me sums up Spinoza's philosophy:
`Everything takes place by the power of God. Nature herself is the power of God under another name and our ignorance of the power of God is co-extensive with our ignorance of the power of Nature.'
The Political Treatise is concerned with Freedom of Speech, the Monarchy, Democracy and human rights. In it, Spinoza sets out much of what we now take for granted. In particular, he says that no nation should invade another sovereign state. George W. Bush and Tony Blair take note.
Basic Flying Instruction: A Comprehensive Introduction to Western Philosophy
A Good Boy Tomorrow: Memoirs of A Fundamentalist Upbringing
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