The Teaching of Jesus and its Enduring Significance: With an Appendix: 'A Brief Description of the Christian Doctrine'

Franz Brentano's The Teaching of Jesus is a compilation of texts assembled for publication shortly before his death, offering a frank and public settling of accounts with Christianity. It is free of bitterness or spitefulness and carefully assesses the positive and negative influence of Christianity in history, making it an important text for researchers and scholars interested in Brentano's work on the philosophy of religion.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 122 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Franz Brentano's The Teaching of Jesus, a compilation of texts assembled for publication shortly before his death, constitutes a frank and public settling of accounts with the Christian religion. Originally conceived by Brentano as a volume that might help others similarly led to doubt the doctrines of Christianity, the book is remarkably free of bitterness or spitefulness. On the contrary, what makes the book of singular importance, especially now, is its careful attempt at taking stock of the positive and negative influence Christianity has had in history.

This text appeals to those researchers and scholars interested in the work of Franz Brentano and his work on the philosophy of religion, in this case, Christianity. Brentano's The Teaching of Jesus is a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the influence of Christianity on history and society. It provides a comprehensive overview of the teachings of Jesus and their impact on the world, and is written in a clear and accessible style.

The book is divided into four parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Jesus's teachings. The first part, "The Person of Jesus," examines the life and character of Jesus, and explores his role as the son of God and the savior of humanity. The second part, "The Message of Jesus," explores the central teachings of Jesus, such as love, forgiveness, and compassion, and their significance for human life. The third part, "The Influence of Jesus," examines the historical and cultural impact of Jesus's teachings, and how they have been interpreted and applied by different religious and cultural traditions. The fourth part, "The Future of Jesus," explores the future of Jesus's teachings and their relevance for contemporary society.

Throughout the book, Brentano emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context in which Jesus's teachings were developed, and how they have been interpreted and applied by different religious and cultural traditions. He also highlights the diversity of Christian beliefs and practices, and the need for a nuanced and inclusive understanding of Christianity.

One of the most significant aspects of Brentano's The Teaching of Jesus is its attempt to balance the positive and negative influence of Christianity on history and society. Brentano recognizes that Christianity has played a significant role in shaping Western culture and society, and has contributed to many of the values and institutions that we take for granted today. However, he also acknowledges that Christianity has been responsible for some of the most significant atrocities in human history, such as the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Holocaust.

Brentano's approach to the study of Christianity is rooted in his belief in the importance of empirical research and critical analysis. He argues that the teachings of Jesus can only be understood in the context of the historical and cultural environment in which they were developed, and that any attempt to interpret them in a vacuum or without reference to their historical context is doomed to failure.

Brentano's The Teaching of Jesus is a valuable resource for those interested in the philosophy of religion, the history of Christianity, and the study of religious and cultural diversity. It provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the teachings of Jesus and their impact on the world, and is written in a clear and accessible style. Whether you are a Christian, a non-Christian, or simply interested in the study of religion and culture, this book is sure to provide you with valuable insights and perspectives.

Weight: 215g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030689148
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021