In this short but stimulating work, Peter Leithart draws upon insights from history, theology, philosophy, and literature to connect two of the most glorious and unique truths of Christianity - its hopeful eschatology and its doctrine of a dynamic, personal Trinity. First, Leithart shows that the biblical view of history is essentially comic and hopeful, in contrast to the classical Greco-Roman view, which is essentially and irredeemably tragic. Then he develops the same point by examining Greek philosophy and its ...
Read More
In this short but stimulating work, Peter Leithart draws upon insights from history, theology, philosophy, and literature to connect two of the most glorious and unique truths of Christianity - its hopeful eschatology and its doctrine of a dynamic, personal Trinity. First, Leithart shows that the biblical view of history is essentially comic and hopeful, in contrast to the classical Greco-Roman view, which is essentially and irredeemably tragic. Then he develops the same point by examining Greek philosophy and its descendants (including postmodernism) in contrast to orthodox Trinitarian theology. Finally, he shows how the tragic and comic worldviews have been reflected in literature, with discussions of Greek epics and two Shakespearean plays. The result is a tour through three thousand years of intellectual history that celebrates the living power of orthodoxy.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. The ancient world understood history as fundamentally tragic, declining from a glorious golden age to a tarnished end. Christian eschatology profoundly challenged this classical worldview by offering a comic account of history, where 'the best is yet to come. ' This concise, thought-provoking book sketches a theory of the Christian narrative as 'deep comedy, ' exemplified by Revelation 21: 4: 'He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes...there shall no longer be mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. ' Classical writers, the author argues, produced their share of comedic happy endings, but deep comedy, where the ending becomes a glorious new beginning, belongs to and grows out of the Trinitarian theology unique to Christianity. This thesis crisply unfolds in a journey that leads us across three thousand years of intellectual history, linking Hesiod and Plato to Weil and Derrida, contrasting Virgil and Homer with medieval romance and Shakespeare. Despite footnotes and occasional dense language, the book is a delight to read, offering 'more of an impressionistic essay than an academic treatise. ' A helpful prefatory 'roadmap' outlines for the reader the major facets of the argument. With degrees in English and history, plus a doctorate in theology from Cambridge, author Peter Leithart brings us interdisciplinary scholarship at its most exhilarating, encouraging us to reassess familiar texts and ideas, make surprising connections, and push the boundaries of the intellect and imagination. 159 pp.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Minimal signs of wear. Corners and cover may show wear. May contain highlighting and or writing. May be missing dust jacket. May not include supplemental materials. May be a former library book.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
