Download faith of a heretic8/24/2023 ![]() So understood, not everybody is a heretic. But more narrowly speaking, a heretic is one who deviates from the fundamental doctrine of his own church, or of the church with which he was previously connected. From the point of view of the churches to which we do not belong-and none of us can belong to the lot-we are all heretics. In theology, any opinion that is contrary to the fundamental doctrine or creed of any particular church is heretical. In this sense, heresy is the price of all originality and innovation. Heresy is a set of opinions at variance with established or generally received principles. Whether it is judicious enough, there is only one way of finding out. Many sections may make sense in isolation but their sense in context is often more judicious. Many a theme introduced early in the book is developed and varied later, and obviously much is left unsaid in the later chapters because it has been said earlier. The sections are not meant to be read out of context. It is petty to worry about whether something is still referred to on the next page, or the page after that by having sections to refer to, that problem is solved. It is divided into consecutively numbered sections to facilitate cross-references and indexing. This volume wants to be read as a whole, as books, unlike magazines, are generally meant to be read. Those who loudly say Yes, but No under their breath only, or No only to what their audience negates anyway or what it does not hurt to deny, are false prophets that cry peace, peace, when there is no peace. But affirmations that entail no negations are empty. More than before, criticism is subordinated to a constructive attempt. This book is continuous with my previous efforts, but goes beyond them. But in some situations honesty is incompatible with silence. Many recent philosophers prefer not to speak of them at all. Therefore, most people speak dishonestly of the most important subjects. Of faith and morals, one cannot speak honestly for long without hurting feelings. In a new foreword, Stanley Corngold vividly describes the intellectual and biographical milieu of Kaufmann’s provocative book. The resulting exploration of the faiths of a nonbeliever in a secular age is as fresh and challenging as when it was first published. Beginning with an autobiographical prologue that traces his evolution from religious believer to "heretic," the book touches on theology, organized religion, morality, suffering, and death-all examined from the perspective of a "quest for honesty." Kaufmann also subjects philosophy's faith in truth, reason, and absolute morality to the same heretical treatment. Although he considered himself a heretic, he was not immune to the wellsprings and impulses from which religion originates, declaring it among the most vital and radical expressions of the human mind. A first-rate philosopher in his own right, Kaufmann here provides the fullest account of his views on religion. In a brilliant and provocative story that moves from the 1950s to the age of Obama, Douthat explores how bad religion has crippled the country’s ability to confront our most pressing challenges and accelerated American decline.Originally published in 1959, The Faith of a Heretic is the most personal statement of the beliefs of Nietzsche biographer and translator Walter Kaufmann. Conservative and liberal, political and pop cultural, traditionally religious and fashionably “spiritual”-Christianity’s place in American life has increasingly been taken over, not by atheism, but by heresy: debased versions of Christian faith that stroke our egos, indulge our follies, and encourage our worst impulses. In a world populated by “pray and grow rich” gospels and Christian cults of self-esteem, Ross Douthat argues that America’s problem isn’t too much religion nor is it intolerant secularism. In Bad Religion he offers a masterful and forceful account of how American Christianity has lost its way-and why it threatens to take American society with it. ![]() The book that has sparked a vigorous national debate about the state of American religion, praised by Timothy Keller as “provocative” and “compelling,” while The New York Times says “Douthat attacks nonsense on both the cultural right and left…responsible and fair,” and the Washington Times raves “a superb documentation of America’s crisis of faith,” now in paperback.ĪS THE YOUNGEST-EVER OP-ED COLUMNIST FOR The New York Times, Ross Douthat has emerged as one of the most provocative and influential voices of his generation.
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