Kantian Reason and Hegelian Spirit: The Idealistic Logic of Modern Theology

by Gary J. Dorrien

Winner: 2012 The American Publishers Award for Professional and Scholarly Excellence in Theology and Religious Studies, PROSE Award.In this thought-provoking new work, the world renowned theologian Gary Dorrien reveals how Kantian and post-Kantian idealism were instrumental in the foundation and development of modern Christian theology.Presents a radical rethinking of the roots of modern theologyReveals how Kantian and post-Kantian idealism were instrumental in the foundation and development of modern Christian theologyShows how it took Kant's writings on ethics and religion to launch a fully modern departure in religious thoughtDissects Kant's three critiques of reason and his moral conception of religionAnalyzes alternative arguments offered by Schleiermacher, Schelling, Hegel, and others - moving historically and chronologically through key figures in European philosophy and theologyPresents notoriously difficult and intellectual arguments in a lucid and accessible manner

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, History

616 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2012

About the author

Gary John Dorrien is an American social ethicist and theologian. He is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York and Professor of Religion at Columbia University, both in New York City, and the author of 18 books on ethics, social theory, philosophy, theology, politics, and intellectual history.

Prior to joining the faculty at Union and Columbia in 2005, Dorrien taught at Kalamazoo College in Michigan, where he served as Parfet Distinguished Professor and as Dean of Stetson Chapel.

An Episcopal priest, he has taught as the Paul E. Raither Distinguished Scholar at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and as Horace De Y. Lentz Visiting Professor at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded the Audible audiobook version, which was worthwhile, the reader has a true broadcasting voice but lacks familiarity with the pronunciation of names and terms (we hear a lot about Bar-TH). I am glad I listed to this, it's got a good balance of biography and analysis of ideas, summarizing the sources and results of liberal and modern theology, early chapters helped me better understand Kant and Hegel and situate Kierkegaard a bit more. I really like situating Coleridge in his context. Later chapters helped me rethink Ritschl and Schleiermacher, I think I can ask better questions about theology, understand Barth's contribution, and even get the significance of Tillich. All this by way of summaries and broad strokes. It would be very helpful if someone were to use it before heading into 18th, 19th century theological studies, to get background before heading into some more in-depth material.

[Brett Vanderzee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly superb. Given the vaulted subject matter and task—tracing the development of 19th century German idealism and modern theology—it maintained a remarkable lucidity and vitality. Dorrien takes imposing giants of the last several centuries (Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, and Barth, to name a few) and makes them positively readable. I would recommend this to anyone interested in pursuing theology at the academic level. One of the best books I’ve ever read.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorrien's breadth of knowledge is quite impressive--even awe-inspiring. That one person could become so familiar with so many figures and philosophies and theologies and intellectual stories over various generations and places is incredibly inspiring to me.

However, the strength of the book is also its weakness. There is just too much material here for the book to be completely coherent and intelligible. It is often hard to follow, and it is easy to get lost in the labyrinth that Dorrien creates. I think it would have been a good idea to save the British story for another book entirely.

[Brad East · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece, as advertised. If you want to understand the sources of modern theology or anything about 19th century German philosophy, read this book.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorrien tells this story with breathtaking mastery.

[Neil · Rating 1 out of 5]

Way too much information about too many people for one book! Very dry and difficult to get through.