Afterwords

Reviews / Votes

"The fundamental argument is a badly needed correction to the uncritical use of periodization in contemporary critical, philosophical, ethical, theological, and general cultural discourse. The specific periodization in question is the set of distinctions between 'modern,' 'premodern,' 'postmodern,' 'classical,' and 'Biblical' moments in the history of thought and ideas. The book represents a frontal assault upon the positions generated by several key contemporary writers (MacIntyre, Stout, Taylor in philosophy and ethics; Hauerwas in theology) who allegedly rely upon these distinctions. There is an extraordinarily effective analysis of Nietzsche in this connection, using Wir Philologen, a previously untranslated manuscript. This part is one of the high moments in the book. The author also has an unimpeachable command of Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Pauline theology, and the Greek tragedians. He's one of that endangered species, the Christian classicist. The book is written with wit, passion, a great wealth of allusion and learning. Outstanding." - Ralph V. Norman, Jr.

"The topic is at the heart of much contemporary debate about the relation of philosophy to religion and the role of religious faith not only in the academy but in Euro-American society at large. No one has gotten a clearer bead on these issues than the author. I emphatically recommend this book." - Bruce Lawrence, Duke University