The Folly of the Cross is the fourth book in Richard Viladesau's series examining the aesthetics and theology of the cross through Christian history. Previous volumes have brought the story up through the Baroque era. This new book examines the reception of the message of the cross from the European Enlightenment to the turn of the twentieth century. The opening chapters set the stage in the transition from the Baroque to the Classical eras, describing the changing intellectual and cultural paradigms of the time. Viladesau examines the theology of the cross in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and the aesthetic mediation of the cross in music and the visual arts. He shows how in the post-Enlightenment era the aesthetic treatment of the cross widely replaced the dogmatic treatment, and how this thought was translated into popular spirituality, piety, and devotion. The Folly of the Cross shows how classical theology responded to the critiques of modern science, history, Biblical scholarship, and philosophy, and how both classical and modern theology served as the occasions for new forms of representation of Christ's passion in the arts and music.

In 'Baron d'Holbach: a Study of Eighteenth Century Radicalism in France,' Max Pearson Cushing dives deep into the life and ideas of the controversial figure, Baron d'Holbach. Cushing's detailed analysis of d'Holbach's radical views on atheism, materialism, and opposition to the monarchy provides a comprehensive understanding of the intellectual climate in France during the 18th century. Written in a scholarly and precise style, the book delves into the philosophical debates and political tensions that shaped d'Holbach's thinking, offering valuable insights into the Enlightenment era. Cushing's attention to historical context and primary sources enriches the narrative, making this book a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts of French revolutionary thought. Max Pearson Cushing, a renowned expert on French Enlightenment philosophy, is well-equipped to tackle the complexities of d'Holbach's work. His previous research on atheism and radical thought in the 18th century serves as a solid foundation for this in-depth study. Cushing's expertise and passion for the subject shine through in his comprehensive analysis, making 'Baron d'Holbach' a standout contribution to the field of Enlightenment studies. For readers interested in exploring the intellectual origins of modern secularism and political radicalism, 'Baron d'Holbach' is an essential read. Cushing's meticulous research and insightful interpretation make this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Enlightenment's impact on French society and politics.

The Wisdom and Power of the Cross is the fifth and final entry in Richard Viladesau's well-regarded series on the theology of the cross, from the historical crucifixion of Jesus to the present day. Continuing his analysis of theological history through cultural contexts, this volume correlates theoretical approaches with artistic representations, showing the relation of theoretical to imaginative approaches. The Wisdom and Power of the Cross examines modern and contemporary thought and images, which look at the cross in the light of modern historical and scriptural studies, science, and the novelties of modern and post-modern art and music. Viladesau here considers how the passion of Christ has been thought about by theologians and portrayed by artists in the modern world. Contemporary art and music reveal the lasting power of traditional images of the passion, as well as new possibilities for expression. The Wisdom and Power of the Cross surveys both traditional approaches to soteriology and revisionist theologies that take up the challenge of the meaning of the cross today, in light of critical historical studies and modern science, providing new understandings of traditional concepts like "original sin" and "redemption". Through his in-depth exploration of the interweaving of aesthetic and conceptual theology, Viladesau once more deepens our understanding of the foremost symbol of Christianity and its role in salvation history.

A provocative reassessment of the concept of an American golden age of European-born reason and intellectual curiosity in the years following the Revolutionary War The accepted myth of the “American Enlightenment” suggests that the rejection of monarchy and establishment of a new republic in the United States in the eighteenth century was the realization of utopian philosophies born in the intellectual salons of Europe and radiating outward to the New World. In this revelatory work, Stanford historian Caroline Winterer argues that a national mythology of a unitary, patriotic era of enlightenment in America was created during the Cold War to act as a shield against the threat of totalitarianism, and that Americans followed many paths toward political, religious, scientific, and artistic enlightenment in the 1700s that were influenced by European models in more complex ways than commonly thought. Winterer’s book strips away our modern inventions of the American national past, exploring which of our ideas and ideals are truly rooted in the eighteenth century and which are inventions and mystifications of more recent times.

The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding record-keeping made possible by advances in the printing press. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, Gale initiated a revolution of its own: digitization of epic proportions to preserve these invaluable works in the largest archive of its kind. Now for the first time these high-quality digital copies of original 18th century manuscripts are available in print, making them highly accessible to libraries, undergraduate students, and independent scholars. The Age of Enlightenment profoundly enriched religious and philosophical understanding and continues to influence present-day thinking. Works collected here include masterpieces by David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as religious sermons and moral debates on the issues of the day, such as the slave trade. The Age of Reason saw conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism transformed into one between faith and logic -- a debate that continues in the twenty-first century. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++ British Library W030576 Half-title: Christianity unveiled. (Copy right of this translation secured.) - Attributed to Paul Henri Thiry baron d'Holbach in the British Museum catalogue. Error in paging: page numbers 159-166 omitted from pagination. New-York: Printed at the Columbian Press, by Robertson and Gowan, for the editor, and sold by the principal booksellers in the United States, 1795. ix, [2],4-238[i.e., 4-230]p.; 12°

Nicolas-Antoine Boulanger wrote a contentious book titled Christianity Unveiled in the late 18th century. In addressing many of the core assumptions held by Christians at the time, the book offers a critical study of the tenets and outcomes of the Christian religion. According to Boulanger, Christianity's doctrines are frequently incoherent and illogical and are founded on myths and superstitions. He contends that the idea of redemption through faith alone is hazardous because it encourages complacency and dissuades moral responsibility. He also disputes the veracity of miracles and the concept of original sin. The book also explores the political and historical ramifications of Christianity, making the case that it has always been exploited as a justification for oppression and bloodshed. In his analysis of the Church's function in society, Boulanger casts doubt on its legitimacy and inclination to prioritize its own interests above those of the populace.