Modern Christian Thought (Volume 1 and 2): From the Enlightenment to the Second Vatican Council

Author: (English) James C. Livingston
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1999-06-01
Features: Without Christianity, the philosophy of most modern philosophers would be vastly different; in this sense, they are all "Christian" philosophers. And without these philosophers, Christian thought would not have reached its current position. In the history of evolving Christian thought, the modern period serves as a watershed between the medieval period and the postmodern period; its characteristic is a series of challenges and responses, crises and advancements. Over the past two centuries, Christianity has faced severe intellectual criticism, but it has responded with extraordinary resilience and creativity. This book arises from an urgent need. Years of teaching in modern Christian thought have led to a demand for a work that can cover the various important intellectual developments in modern Christian history. Earlier works in this area are now outdated, and even if they discussed certain figures and trends, they could not adequately address those now seen as highly significant, as well as the developments of this century. The focus of this book is on the developments in historical theology and philosophical theology, that is, the interaction between foundational Christian thought and modern philosophy, history, and science. It is not concerned with the evolution of theological schools or doctrines, nor with the development of liturgical, devotional, or ethical theology, or with the structure of the church. This is why the book pays particular attention to modernist and neo-Thomist movements in modern Roman Catholic history. It also explains why figures like Voltaire, Feuerbach, and Nietzsche are included.