A book forged in hell : Spinoza's scandalous treatise and the birth of the secular age

A book forged in hell Spinoza's scandalous treatise and the birth of the secular age

Steven M. Nadler, 1958-

Book - 2011

"When it appeared in 1670, Baruch Spinoza's Theological-Political Treatise was denounced as the most dangerous book ever published--'godless,' 'full of abominations,' 'a book forged in hell . . . by the devil himself.' Religious and secular authorities saw it as a threat to faith, social and political harmony, and everyday morality, and its author was almost universally regarded as a religious subversive and political radical who sought to spread atheism throughout Europe. Yet Spinoza's book has contributed as much as the Declaration of Independence or Thomas Paine's Common Sense to modern liberal, secular, and democratic thinking. In A Book Forged in Hell, Steven Nadler tells the fascinatin...g story of this extraordinary book: its radical claims and their background in the philosophical, religious, and political tensions of the Dutch Golden Age, as well as the vitriolic reaction these ideas inspired. It is not hard to see why Spinoza's Treatise was so important or so controversial, or why the uproar it caused is one of the most significant events in European intellectual history. In the book, Spinoza became the first to argue that the Bible is not literally the word of God but rather a work of human literature; that true religion has nothing to do with theology, liturgical ceremonies, or sectarian dogma; and that religious authorities should have no role in governing a modern state. He also denied the reality of miracles and divine providence, reinterpreted the nature of prophecy, and made an eloquent plea for toleration and democracy. A vivid story of incendiary ideas and vicious backlash, A Book Forged in Hell will interest anyone who is curious about the origin of some of our most cherished modern beliefs."--Book jacket.

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Subjects
Spinoza, Benedictus de, > 1632-1677.
Philosophy and religion.
Philosophers > Netherlands.
Religion and politics.
Jewish philosophers.
Jewish heretics.
Published
Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press c2011.
Language
English
Main Author
Steven M. Nadler, 1958- (-)
Physical Description
xviii, 279 p. ; 25 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN
9780691139890
  • Prologue
  • The theological-political problem
  • Rasphuis
  • Gods and prophets
  • Miracles
  • Scripture
  • Judaism, Christianity, and true religion
  • Faith, reason, and the state
  • Libertas philosophandi
  • The onslaught.
Review by Choice Review

Nadler (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison) shows, for a general audience, why Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670) evoked such opposition from contemporary religious and political leaders. Nadler places Spinoza and his book in their historical context, explains the issues that were at stake, and discusses the book's subsequent influence. Persons interested in the history of political liberalism, modern Judaism, biblical interpretation, and early modern philosophy will welcome this excellent book. This reviewer has only three minor gripes. First, an explanation would be useful as to why some philosophers of science disagree with Spinoza's assertion that natural laws are universal, necessary, and invariant. Second, it should be noted that most historical critics do not share Spinoza's belief that Ezra was the chief redactor of the Torah. Finally, Spinoza champions freedom of speech but believes that governments may prohibit malicious falsehoods or conspiracies. Nadler suggests an absolutist position that forbids any prohibition of speech. Nevertheless, the absolutist position--which would allow slander, libel, and conspiracies--is not credible. Spinoza correctly believed that some speech should be prohibited. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers; general readers. J. M. Fritzman Lewis & Clark College

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review

In a work that Leibniz denounced as intolerably licentious. Nadler sees the indispensable charter for secular democracy premised on toleration and liberty. But clarifying that charter requires a probing look at its controversial author, Baruch de Spinoza, and his times. Though Spinoza's Ethics have received considerable attention from modern philosophers interested in its metaphysics and epistemology, the work so heatedly denounced by Leibniz has received little modern attention. Nadler here remedies that neglect, exploring the daring themes of Spinoza and explaining why those themes initially provoked a fierce backlash but eventually pushed all of Western Europe toward Enlightenment skepticism. In particular, readers may examine the reasoning Spinoza unfolds as he systematically scours Scripture of miracle and divinity, undermining ecclesiastical authority with his subversive new religion of natural ethics and humane freedom. As an intellectual heir of the freethinkers that Spinoza emboldened, Nadler admires the heterodox philosopher with a fervor that few conservative and religious readers will share. Still, this is a groundbreaking analysis of an incendiary text.--Christensen, Bryce Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review

In this clearly written and accessible book, Nadler (philosophy, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Spinoza: A Life) offers up a historical and philosophical analysis of Spinoza's Theological-Political Treatise (1670). While Spinoza's later Ethics is better known, Nadler explains that the Treatise is a much more "passionate, even angry" work that offers great insight into Spinoza's controversial theories regarding the impossibility of miracles, the Bible as a work of literature, and the importance of liberty and freedom of ideas in a society. Each chapter not only focuses on sections of the Treatise but also explains the historical context of the Treatise and why many saw it as such a dangerous and corrupting book. VERDICT In the preface, Nadler explains that he hopes to bring the Treatise to a new audience of general readers as well as academics. He has definitely succeeded in writing an extremely rewarding and engaging book. Highly recommended both for readers who have read Nadler's other books on Spinoza and for those who have never read the Treatise or are new to Spinoza.-Scott Duimstra, Capital Area Dist. Lib., Lansing, MI (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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