Scan barcode
alanrussellfuller's review
5.0
The Enlightenment was a direct challenge to the status quo when intolerant and superstitious religious beliefs dominated most lives. Christians agreed that Christianity was a revealed religion. Christ had sacrificed himself to secure salvation. The masses learned of salvation through the medium of The Bible, the literal Word of God. John Locke advocated a study of the Bible alone in the optimistic hope that everyone would agree on its literal interpretation.
"Other Enlightenment scholars looked to diminish the power of organized religion by examining it from a historical perspective." p.15
They found that there were many ways to understand the meaning of grace and salvation. Spinoza asserted that the Bible was a document of sacred history for Jews and Christians.
"Natural law is essentially a code of behavior passed down from God and applicable to all humans, which upholds the natural order of things." p.18
The Enlightenment was profoundly anti-religious.
"Other Enlightenment scholars looked to diminish the power of organized religion by examining it from a historical perspective." p.15
They found that there were many ways to understand the meaning of grace and salvation. Spinoza asserted that the Bible was a document of sacred history for Jews and Christians.
"Natural law is essentially a code of behavior passed down from God and applicable to all humans, which upholds the natural order of things." p.18
The Enlightenment was profoundly anti-religious.
viatai23_'s review
3.0
This was solid.
If you want an introduction to the Enlightenment: all the names, the time frames, the thoughts, the overall frame of it, this book is a great place. Simple reading, easy to understand concepts, and an easy frame.
However, because it's an overview of the entire movement, the glossing of the negative aspects (and leaving it to the conclusion) is not the best. I understand wanting to get the positives in first, but the negatives are spoken about in such a cavalier manner. Also, I think a visual timeline in the beginning or the end of the book would help establish some set of order instead of the dates of specific peoples lives, it would be much more tangible.
If you want an introduction to the Enlightenment: all the names, the time frames, the thoughts, the overall frame of it, this book is a great place. Simple reading, easy to understand concepts, and an easy frame.
However, because it's an overview of the entire movement, the glossing of the negative aspects (and leaving it to the conclusion) is not the best. I understand wanting to get the positives in first, but the negatives are spoken about in such a cavalier manner. Also, I think a visual timeline in the beginning or the end of the book would help establish some set of order instead of the dates of specific peoples lives, it would be much more tangible.
necklace_53's review
3.0
Good enough for a short introduction into the age of enlightenment but not comprehensive enough.
bookfever's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Honestly I wish it was a little longer because I could keep on reading about the Englightenmen for ages. It was really interesting. This was such an important time in our history. Obviously we wouldn't be where we are now without it. Also, I really liked the quotes at the start of each chapter.
More...