The Beginning and the End of 'Religion'

Covers the study of religions, theology and science and the secularisation of modern culture.

Nicholas Lash (Author)

9780521566353, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 June 1996

300 pages
21.6 x 13.8 x 2.1 cm, 0.43 kg

'Any Christian who is serious about the unity of God's world should read the three opening chapters …' Epworth Review

The common view that 'religion' is something quite separate from politics, art, science, law and economics is one that is peculiar to modern Western culture. In this book Professor Lash argues that we should begin to question seriously that viewpoint: the modern world is ending and we are now in a position to discover new forms of ancient wisdom, which have been obscured from view. These essays explore this idea in a number of directions, examining the dialogue between theology and science, the secularity of Western culture and questions of Christian hope. Part One examines the dialogue between Christianity and Hinduism, while Part Two considers the relations between theology and science, the secularity of Western culture, and questions of Christian hope, or eschatology.

Part I. A Meeting Place for Truth: 1. The beginning and the end of 'religion'?
2. Prophecy and peace
3. Reality, wisdom and delight
Part II. Emerging from Modernity: 4. Observation, revelation and the posterity of Noah
5. On what kinds of things there are
6. Contemplation, metaphor and real knowledge
7. When did the theologians lose interest in theology?
8. Anselm seeking
9. Creation, courtesy and contemplation
10. Hollow centres and holy places
11. Hoping against hope, or Abraham's dilemma
12. Eagles and sheep: Christianity and the public order beyond modernity
13. Incarnation and determinate freedom
14. Beyond the end of history?
Index.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of religion [HRAB]