Verlag:
Oxford University Press USA - OSO, Atlanta
Despite his well-recognized importance in the history of thought, Lessing as theologian or philosopher of religion remains an enigmatic figure. Through intensive study of the entire corpus of Lessing's philosophical and theological writings, as well...
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Despite his well-recognized importance in the history of thought, Lessing as theologian or philosopher of religion remains an enigmatic figure. Through intensive study of the entire corpus of Lessing's philosophical and theological writings, as well as the extensive secondary literature, Yasukata reveals a fresh image of Lessing as a creative, modern mind who is both shaped by and gives shape to the Christian heritage. Intro -- Contents -- Abbreviations -- Note on Texts and Translations -- INTRODUCTION -- Lessing's Significance for German Intellectual History -- Lessing and Modern Protestant Theology -- Tasks of Lessing Studies -- The Question of Methodology for Lessing Studies -- 1 LESSING AND CHRISTIANITY -- Lessing's Formative Period (Bildungsjahre) -- Lessing and the Fragments Controversy (Fragmentenstreit) -- Lessing's Theological Position -- Lessing and the Pursuit of Truth -- Salient Features of Lessing's Theological Thought -- 2 THE RELIGIOUS THOUGHT OF THE YOUNG LESSING -- The Young Lessing and His Religious Skepticism -- The Young Lessing and His Theological Critique -- The Ideal of Universal Humanity as Expressed in the Comedy The Jews -- Lessing's Speculative Reflections in The Christianity of Reason -- 3 THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN LESSING AND GOEZE -- Beginning and Development of the Controversy -- Goeze's Attack -- Lessing's Defense -- Lessing's Anti-Goeze -- 4 LESSING'S "UGLY BROAD DITCH" -- The Proof of the Spirit and of Power -- Truths of History and Truths of Reason -- The "Inner Truth" of Religion -- Genuine Christian Love -- The Authenticity of Lessing's "Ugly Ditch" -- Lessing's Problem and Peter's Problem -- 5 NATHAN THE WISE AND LESSING'S "IDEAL OF HUMANITY" -- The Background and Main Theme of Nathan the Wise -- The Parable of the Three Rings -- The Truth Claim of a Historical Religion in the Interim -- Nathan and the Education of Humanity -- The Essence of Nathan's Reason -- 6 LESSING'S BASIC THOUGHT IN The Education of the Human Race -- Basic Features of The Education of the Human Race -- Basic Structure of The Education of the Human Race -- Lessing's Historical Position -- Revelation as the Education of the Human Race -- Revelation and Reason: (1) The Old Testament Age -- Revelation and Reason: (2) The New Testament Age.
