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American Philosophers Read Scripture

Edited by Jacob L. Goodson - Contributions by Jacob L. Goodson; Ann W. Duncan; Edward F. Mooney; William J. Danaher Jr.; William W. Young III; Lawrence Ware; John R. Shook; Eric Reitan; David O’Hara; William Elkins; Quinlan C. Stein; Peter Dula; Roger Ward and Isra Yazicioglu

This collection introduces readers to the philosophical interpretation of Scripture, specifically within American Philosophy. The purpose of the collection concerns starting a conversation about the practice and task of the philosophical interpretation of Scripture. Reflections on the philosophical interpretation of Scripture have been treated more as a “conversation-stopper” than a conversation-starter within the American academy. To start such a conversation, this collection offers substantive accounts of the role of Scripture in the philosophical thought of fifteen American philosophers: Jane Addams, Henry Bugbee, Stanley Cavell, John Dewey, Jonathan Edwards, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, William James, Martin Luther King, Jr., Charles Sanders Peirce, Josiah Royce, Richard Rorty, George Santayana, Henry David Thoreau, and Cornel West.
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  • TOC
  • Reviews
  • Reviews
  • Features
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Lexington Books
Pages: 266 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9⅛
978-1-4985-3795-7 • Hardback • December 2019 • $117.00 • (£90.00)
978-1-4985-3796-4 • eBook • December 2019 • $111.00 • (£85.00)
Subjects: Religion / Philosophy, Philosophy / Religious
Jacob L. Goodson is assistant professor of philosophy at Southwestern College.
Acknowledgments



Introduction



Section 1. Reading Genesis and Job with American Philosophers



1. Ann W. Duncan & Jacob L. Goodson, “Immortal Eve”? Genesis 1-3 in Margaret Fuller’s Woman in the Nineteenth Century



2. Edward F. Mooney, “In Demonstration of the Spirit”: Henry Bugbee’s Meditations on the Book of Job



Section 2. Reading the Prophets with American Philosophers



3. William J. Danaher Jr., “Fire Enfolding Itself”: Jonathan Edwards and the Merkabah



4. Willie Young, Gathering the Wild Fruits of Scripture: Henry David Thoreau’s Philosophical Interpretations of Scripture



5. Lawrence Ware, The Black Prophetic Tradition: Cornel West, Abraham Heschel, and the Biblical Prophets



Section 3. Philosophical Interpretations of the Synoptic Gospels



6. Jacob L. Goodson, “Ye Shall Know Them By Their Fruits”: Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Interpretation of Jesus’ Logical Rule



7. John R. Shook, Let the Philosophers Bury Their Own Dead: Matthew 8 and Luke 9 in John Dewey’s Philosophy



Section 4. Moral Interpretations of the Synoptic Gospels



8. Ann W. Duncan, The Impossibility of Complacency: Scripture in the Life and Work of Jane Addams



9. Jacob L. Goodson, Secrecy and Suffering: The Sermon on the Mount in George Santayana’s The Idea of Christ



10. Eric Reitan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Scripture, and the Ethics of Love



Section 5. Reading John’s Gospel and Epistles with American Philosophers



11. David O’Hara, Agapic Love as the Sole Principle of Logic: John’s Gospel, John’s Epistles, and C. S. Peirce’s Philosophy



12. William Elkins, What Is the Problem of Christianity? Echoes of John’s Theology in Josiah Royce’s Absolute Idealism



Section 6. Reading 1 Corinthians with American Philosophers



13. Jacob L. Goodson and Quinlan C. Stein, William James on the Doctrine of Transubstantiation: American Transcendentalism vs. Roman Catholicism



14. Peter Dula, “Putting Away Childish Things”: Six Scenes of Instruction in Stanley Cavell’s Little Did I Know



15. Jacob L. Goodson, “And the Greatest of These Is Love”: Richard Rorty’s Turn to Scripture

Section 7. On the Philosophical Interpretation of Traditionally Sacred Texts



16. Roger Ward, How Jonathan Edwards Reads the Christian Scriptures



17. Isra Yazicioglu, How C. S. Peirce’s Pragmatism Helps for Interpreting the Qur’an



About the Contributors
This collection of explorations into the manner and purpose of American philosophers’ reading of Scripture pushes back against trends in academic philosophy that seek to block this path of inquiry. The authors investigate the question with acuity, inventiveness, and care, such that the reader wants to learn more about the philosophers, previously known or unknown, whose use of Scripture has gone unnoticed or ignored. The book is a welcome invitation to a rich and longer conversation.
— Seth Vannatta, professor and chair, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Morgan State University


American Philosophers Read Scripture breaks down the old reason versus revelation debate surrounding scriptural interpretation by showing how American philosophers—regardless of theological tradition or religious orientation—used scripture as evidence for arguments or as inspirational starting-points of musement and action. It also highlights the critical role that reading plays in the life of those who write, be it Biblical texts or not. It also works at a meta-level, as astute philosophy and religion scholars read scripture along with those classic American scholars who read scripture. The book reminds us that the philosophical life extends into whatever text we read.
— Brad Elliott Stone, Loyola Marymount University


Surprising—I am delighted but surprised by the subject of this book. I had agreed to blurb the book because I think so highly of its editor, but I confess I thought the topic to be "one off." But these are wonderful essays that not only through light on largely ignored American philosophers (Bugbee) but just as important we learn how scripture can be read in constructive manner. I cannot recommend this book highly enough because it turns out the subject is not only interesting but significant for how to go on philosophically.
— Stanley Hauerwas, Duke University Divinity School


1/7/2021 - The Damn the Absolute! Podcast interviewed contributor David O’Hara and discussed his chapter in the book in an episode titled “Ep. 7 Charles Peirce and Inquiry as an Act of Love with David O’Hara.” Link: https://erraticus.co/2021/01/06/charles-sanders-peirce-inquiry-community-david-ohara/



American Philosophers Read Scripture

Cover Image
Hardback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • This collection introduces readers to the philosophical interpretation of Scripture, specifically within American Philosophy. The purpose of the collection concerns starting a conversation about the practice and task of the philosophical interpretation of Scripture. Reflections on the philosophical interpretation of Scripture have been treated more as a “conversation-stopper” than a conversation-starter within the American academy. To start such a conversation, this collection offers substantive accounts of the role of Scripture in the philosophical thought of fifteen American philosophers: Jane Addams, Henry Bugbee, Stanley Cavell, John Dewey, Jonathan Edwards, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, William James, Martin Luther King, Jr., Charles Sanders Peirce, Josiah Royce, Richard Rorty, George Santayana, Henry David Thoreau, and Cornel West.
Details
Details
  • Lexington Books
    Pages: 266 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9⅛
    978-1-4985-3795-7 • Hardback • December 2019 • $117.00 • (£90.00)
    978-1-4985-3796-4 • eBook • December 2019 • $111.00 • (£85.00)
    Subjects: Religion / Philosophy, Philosophy / Religious
Author
Author
  • Jacob L. Goodson is assistant professor of philosophy at Southwestern College.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Acknowledgments



    Introduction



    Section 1. Reading Genesis and Job with American Philosophers



    1. Ann W. Duncan & Jacob L. Goodson, “Immortal Eve”? Genesis 1-3 in Margaret Fuller’s Woman in the Nineteenth Century



    2. Edward F. Mooney, “In Demonstration of the Spirit”: Henry Bugbee’s Meditations on the Book of Job



    Section 2. Reading the Prophets with American Philosophers



    3. William J. Danaher Jr., “Fire Enfolding Itself”: Jonathan Edwards and the Merkabah



    4. Willie Young, Gathering the Wild Fruits of Scripture: Henry David Thoreau’s Philosophical Interpretations of Scripture



    5. Lawrence Ware, The Black Prophetic Tradition: Cornel West, Abraham Heschel, and the Biblical Prophets



    Section 3. Philosophical Interpretations of the Synoptic Gospels



    6. Jacob L. Goodson, “Ye Shall Know Them By Their Fruits”: Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Interpretation of Jesus’ Logical Rule



    7. John R. Shook, Let the Philosophers Bury Their Own Dead: Matthew 8 and Luke 9 in John Dewey’s Philosophy



    Section 4. Moral Interpretations of the Synoptic Gospels



    8. Ann W. Duncan, The Impossibility of Complacency: Scripture in the Life and Work of Jane Addams



    9. Jacob L. Goodson, Secrecy and Suffering: The Sermon on the Mount in George Santayana’s The Idea of Christ



    10. Eric Reitan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Scripture, and the Ethics of Love



    Section 5. Reading John’s Gospel and Epistles with American Philosophers



    11. David O’Hara, Agapic Love as the Sole Principle of Logic: John’s Gospel, John’s Epistles, and C. S. Peirce’s Philosophy



    12. William Elkins, What Is the Problem of Christianity? Echoes of John’s Theology in Josiah Royce’s Absolute Idealism



    Section 6. Reading 1 Corinthians with American Philosophers



    13. Jacob L. Goodson and Quinlan C. Stein, William James on the Doctrine of Transubstantiation: American Transcendentalism vs. Roman Catholicism



    14. Peter Dula, “Putting Away Childish Things”: Six Scenes of Instruction in Stanley Cavell’s Little Did I Know



    15. Jacob L. Goodson, “And the Greatest of These Is Love”: Richard Rorty’s Turn to Scripture

    Section 7. On the Philosophical Interpretation of Traditionally Sacred Texts



    16. Roger Ward, How Jonathan Edwards Reads the Christian Scriptures



    17. Isra Yazicioglu, How C. S. Peirce’s Pragmatism Helps for Interpreting the Qur’an



    About the Contributors
Reviews
Reviews
  • This collection of explorations into the manner and purpose of American philosophers’ reading of Scripture pushes back against trends in academic philosophy that seek to block this path of inquiry. The authors investigate the question with acuity, inventiveness, and care, such that the reader wants to learn more about the philosophers, previously known or unknown, whose use of Scripture has gone unnoticed or ignored. The book is a welcome invitation to a rich and longer conversation.
    — Seth Vannatta, professor and chair, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Morgan State University


    American Philosophers Read Scripture breaks down the old reason versus revelation debate surrounding scriptural interpretation by showing how American philosophers—regardless of theological tradition or religious orientation—used scripture as evidence for arguments or as inspirational starting-points of musement and action. It also highlights the critical role that reading plays in the life of those who write, be it Biblical texts or not. It also works at a meta-level, as astute philosophy and religion scholars read scripture along with those classic American scholars who read scripture. The book reminds us that the philosophical life extends into whatever text we read.
    — Brad Elliott Stone, Loyola Marymount University


    Surprising—I am delighted but surprised by the subject of this book. I had agreed to blurb the book because I think so highly of its editor, but I confess I thought the topic to be "one off." But these are wonderful essays that not only through light on largely ignored American philosophers (Bugbee) but just as important we learn how scripture can be read in constructive manner. I cannot recommend this book highly enough because it turns out the subject is not only interesting but significant for how to go on philosophically.
    — Stanley Hauerwas, Duke University Divinity School


Features
Features
  • 1/7/2021 - The Damn the Absolute! Podcast interviewed contributor David O’Hara and discussed his chapter in the book in an episode titled “Ep. 7 Charles Peirce and Inquiry as an Act of Love with David O’Hara.” Link: https://erraticus.co/2021/01/06/charles-sanders-peirce-inquiry-community-david-ohara/



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