| The Law of God: The Philosophical History of an Idea Contributor(s): Brague, Rémi (Author), Cochrane, Lydia G. (Translator) |
|
 |
ISBN: 0226070786 ISBN-13: 9780226070780 Publisher: University of Chicago Press OUR PRICE: $98.01 Product Type: Hardcover Published: May 2007 Annotation: The law of God: these words conjure an image of Moses breaking the tablets at Mount Sinai, but the history of the alliance between law and divinity is so much longer, and its scope so much broader, than a single Judeo-Christian scene can possibly suggest. In his stunningly ambitious new history, Remi Brague goes back three thousand years to trace this idea of divine law in the West from prehistoric religions to modern times--giving new depth to today's discussions about the role of God in worldly affairs. Bringing to the work his characteristic brilliance and clarity of thought, Brague explains how divine law, which served in ancient Greece as a metaphor for natural law, was seen in ancient Israel as divine revelation. Later, in the Middle Ages, it took on new sacred meanings: within Judaism, it represented the sole presence of God among a people deprived of a temple and kingdom. For Islam, it served as direct dictation from God that came to rule all human practices. Christianity, meanwhile, conceived a relationship to God that went beyond legislation, turning away from the idea of revealed law and toward the Greek notion of law that was divine "because" it was natural. Masterfully illuminating these ideas with a wide range of philosophical, political, and religious sources, Brague's history concludes by addressing the recent break in the alliance between law and divinity--when modern societies, far from connecting the two, started to think of law simply as the rule human community gives itself. Exploring what this disconnection means for the contemporary world, Brague--powerfully expanding on the project he began with "The Wisdom of the World"--re-engages readers in amillennia-long intellectual tradition, ultimately arriving at a better comprehension of our own modernity. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Religion - Philosophy | Religious - History |
| Dewey: 208.4 |
| LCCN: 2006029906 |
| Physical Information: 1.07" H x 6.38" W x 9.26" (1.44 lbs) 384 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The law of God: these words conjure an image of Moses breaking the tablets at Mount Sinai, but the history of the alliance between law and divinity is so much longer, and its scope so much broader, than a single Judeo-Christian scene can possibly suggest. In his stunningly ambitious new history, R mi Brague goes back three thousand years to trace this idea of divine law in the West from prehistoric religions to modern times--giving new depth to today's discussions about the role of God in worldly affairs. Brague masterfully describes the differing conceptions of divine law in Judaic, Islamic, and Christian traditions and illuminates these ideas with a wide range of philosophical, political, and religious sources. In conclusion, he addresses the recent break in the alliance between law and divinity--when modern societies, far from connecting the two, started to think of law simply as the rule human community gives itself. Exploring what this disconnection means for the contemporary world, Brague--powerfully expanding on the project he began with The Wisdom of the World--re-engages readers in a millennia-long intellectual tradition, ultimately arriving at a better comprehension of our own modernity. "Brague's sense of intellectual adventure is what makes his work genuinely exciting to read. The Law of God offers a challenge that anyone concerned with today's religious struggles ought to take up."--Adam Kirsch, New York Sun "Scholars and students of contemporary world events, to the extent that these may be viewed as a clash of rival fundamentalisms, will have much to gain from Brague's study. Ideally, in that case, the book seems to be both an obvious primer and launching pad for further scholarship."--Times Higher Education Supplement |
Contributor Bio(s): Cochrane, Lydia G.: - Lydia G. Cochrane has translated numerous books for the University of Chicago Press. |