
The Light of Faith and Reason
Israel, Jesus, and the Enlightenment
Gerhard Lohfink(Author)
Liturgical Press
Published on 24. January 2026
Book
Hardback
392 pages
979-8-4008-0114-3 (ISBN)
Description
Renowned Scripture scholar Gerhard Lohfink brings the origins and progress of enlightenment to the forefront of Christian faith.
The history of the European Enlightenment did not begin in the seventeenth century. It started in Greece (something no one doubts), and it began with stories about Abraham and Israel's exodus from Egypt (something many do not know or disregard). In The Light of Faith and Reason, renowned Scripture scholar Gerhard Lohfink shows the degree to which the Old Testament already affords enlightenment, and how that work of enlightenment was continued and deepened by Jesus and the church. On the basis of this Jewish-Christian history of enlightenment, what is at issue is the rationality of faith, something that is increasingly the subject of debate today. The description here is not intended to deny the mystery of faith; rather, it is meant to illuminate its rationality.
The history of the European Enlightenment did not begin in the seventeenth century. It started in Greece (something no one doubts), and it began with stories about Abraham and Israel's exodus from Egypt (something many do not know or disregard). In The Light of Faith and Reason, renowned Scripture scholar Gerhard Lohfink shows the degree to which the Old Testament already affords enlightenment, and how that work of enlightenment was continued and deepened by Jesus and the church. On the basis of this Jewish-Christian history of enlightenment, what is at issue is the rationality of faith, something that is increasingly the subject of debate today. The description here is not intended to deny the mystery of faith; rather, it is meant to illuminate its rationality.
Reviews / Votes
"In a world of constant challenge of Christianity's intellectual integrity, Lohfink highlights that the Christian faith is not outdated or just a leftover after the European Enlightenment. In his broad scope of topics, he demonstrates not only his expertise as a biblical scholar. In a highly personal voice, he also presents his own spirituality in deep attachment to his academic profession. Following Lohfink's thoughts, we can recognize that there is no stalemate between Christian faith and reason. Even further, by joining Lohfink's adventure of faith, we can see this undertaking as deeply fulfilling."Florian Klug is a lecturer at Julius-Maximilians-Universitaet Wuerzburg, Germany and the University of Vienna, Austria
"A surprising valedictory offering from the late renowned New Testament scholar Gerhard Lohfink. His insightful (and at times moving) interpretations of Scripture show how the ideals of human dignity, freedom, equality, and tolerance, often equated with the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason alone and critique of traditional religion, are rooted in the Jewish and early Christian scriptural traditions and continue to animate contemporary life. While a few debatable notions are here, Lohfink's cornucopia of on-target arguments reveal the deep connections between faith and reason-a very positive Roman Catholic take on how divine revelation and human experience are mutually supportive and provide our current complex situation with reasons for hope."
Anthony J. Godzieba, professor emeritus of fundamental and systematic theology, Villanova University
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Collegeville, MN
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
With dust jacket
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
771 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-4008-0114-3 (9798400801143)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
04/2026
LITURGICAL PRESS
€32.49
Available for download
Persons
Gerhard Lohfink (1934-2024) was professor of New Testament exegesis at the University of Tuebingen. His many award-winning books include Why I Believe in God, All My Springs Are in You,The Most Important Words of Jesus, Between Heaven and Earth, The Forty Parables of Jesus, No Irrelevant Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, Is This All There Is?, The Our Father, and Prayer Takes Us Home, all from Liturgical Press.
Content
Contents
Preface ix
Abbreviations xi
1. Is the Church Required to Undergo Enlightenment? 1
2. The World Emptied of Its Gods 33
3. Are the Ancient Gods Returning? 54
4. Freedom to Believe 70
5. Social Project and Knowledge of God 92
6. Trinitarian Faith and Imperial Monotheism 111
7. Did the First Christians Understand Jesus? 130
8. Murder in the Name of God? 150
9. Did Easter Change History? 167
10. Easter and the Enlightenment 184
11. How Paul Talks to His Communities 196
12. Was Paul Anti-Jewish? 224
13. How Does the Church Gather? 256
14. How Does the Church Resolve Its Conflicts? 269
15. How Does the Church Do Mission? 280
16. The New Testament Basis for the Priestly Office 291
17. Marian Devotion: Superfluous or Essential? 335
18. Foreign, Hunted, and Shunned 348
Acknowledgments 363
Index of Biblical Passages 364
Preface ix
Abbreviations xi
1. Is the Church Required to Undergo Enlightenment? 1
2. The World Emptied of Its Gods 33
3. Are the Ancient Gods Returning? 54
4. Freedom to Believe 70
5. Social Project and Knowledge of God 92
6. Trinitarian Faith and Imperial Monotheism 111
7. Did the First Christians Understand Jesus? 130
8. Murder in the Name of God? 150
9. Did Easter Change History? 167
10. Easter and the Enlightenment 184
11. How Paul Talks to His Communities 196
12. Was Paul Anti-Jewish? 224
13. How Does the Church Gather? 256
14. How Does the Church Resolve Its Conflicts? 269
15. How Does the Church Do Mission? 280
16. The New Testament Basis for the Priestly Office 291
17. Marian Devotion: Superfluous or Essential? 335
18. Foreign, Hunted, and Shunned 348
Acknowledgments 363
Index of Biblical Passages 364