About the Book
Currently it is fashionable to be devoutly undevout. Religion's most passionate antagonists - Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and others - have publishers competing eagerly to market their various denunciations of religion, monotheism, Christianity, and Roman Catholicism. But contemporary anti religious polemics are based not only upon profound conceptual confusions but upon facile simplifications of history or even outright historical ignorance: so contends David Bentley Hart in this bold correction of the distortions. One of the most brilliant scholars of religion of our time, Hart provides a powerful antidote to the New Atheists' misrepresentations of the Christian past, bringing into focus the truth about the most radical revolution in Western history.Hart outlines how Christianity transformed the ancient world in ways we may have forgotten: bringing liberation from fatalism, conferring great dignity on human beings, subverting the cruelest aspects of pagan society, and elevating charity above all virtues. He then argues that what we term the 'Age of Reason' was in fact the beginning of the eclipse of reason's authority as a cultural value.
Hart closes the book in the present, delineating the ominous consequences of the decline of Christendom in a culture that is built upon its moral and spiritual values.
About the Author :
David Bentley Hart is visiting professor, Theology Department, Providence College, and author of several books, including In the Aftermath: Provocations and Laments and The Beauty of the Infinite: The Aesthetics of Christian Truth.
Review :
[A] major work by one of the most learned, forceful, and witty Christian theologians currently writing. Paul J./i>--Paul J. Griffiths"First Things" (08/01/2009)"
A devastating dissection of the new atheism, a timely reminder of thefact that no Christianity would have meant no West, and a rousing good read. David Hart isone of America's sharpest minds, and this isHart in full, all guns firing and the band playing on the deck. George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington--George Weigel"
Provoked by and responding to the standard-bearers of the New Atheism, this original and intellectually impressive workdeftly demolishes their mythical account of the rise of modernity. Hart argues instead that the genuinely humane values of modernity have their historic roots in Christianity. Geoffrey Wainwright, Duke Divinity School--Geoffrey Wainwright"
"[A] major work by one of the most learned, forceful, and witty Christian theologians currently writing."--Paul J./i>--Paul J. Griffiths"First Things" (08/01/2009)
"A devastating dissection of the 'new atheism, ' a timely reminder of the fact that 'no Christianity' would have meant 'no West, ' and a rousing good read. David Hart is one of America's sharpest minds, and this is Hart in full, all guns firing and the band playing on the deck."--George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington--George Weigel
"Provoked by and responding to the standard-bearers of 'the New Atheism', this original and intellectually impressive work deftly demolishes their mythical account of 'the rise of modernity.' Hart argues instead that the genuinely humane values of modernity have their historic roots in Christianity."--Geoffrey Wainwright, Duke Divinity School--Geoffrey Wainwright
?A devastating dissection of the ?new atheism,? a timely reminder of the fact that ?no Christianity? would have meant ?no West,? and a rousing good read. David Hart is one of America''s sharpest minds, and this is Hart in full, all guns firing and the band playing on the deck.??George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington -- George Weigel
?Provoked by and responding to the standard-bearers of ?the New Atheism?, this original and intellectually impressive work deftly demolishes their mythical account of ?the rise of modernity.? Hart argues instead that the genuinely humane values of modernity have their historic roots in Christianity. Geoffrey Wainwright, Duke Divinity School -- Geoffrey Wainwright
?Surely Dawkins, Hitchens et al would never have dared put pen to paper had they known of the existence of David Bentley Hart. After this demolition-job all that is left for them to do is repent and rejoice at the discreditation of their erstwhile selves. John Milbank, author of Radical Orthodoxy: A New Theology -- John Milbank
?With impressive erudition and polemical panache, David Hart smites hip and thigh the peddlers of a ?new atheism? that recycles hoary arguments from the past. His grim assessment of our cultural moment challenges the hope that ?the Christian revolution? could happen again. Richard John Neuhaus, former editor in chief of First Things -- Richard John Neuhaus
"A devastating dissection of the new atheism, ' a timely reminder of the fact that no Christianity' would have meant no West, ' and a rousing good read. David Hart is one of America''s sharpest minds, and this is Hart in full, all guns firing and the band playing on the deck."-George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington
Atheist Delusions is a history that serves life . . . Hart argues for a brave thesis . . . . With astonishing success, [he] achieves his objective. --;i>The City
--Christopher Benson "The City ""
"Anyone interested in taking the debate about God to the next level should read and reflect on Hart s spirited brief on behalf of Christian truth." Damon Linker, New Republic
--Damon Linker"New Republic" (04/23/2009)"
"Few things are so delightful as watching someone who has taken the time to acquire a lot of learning casually, even effortlessly, dismantle the claims of lazy grandstanders. . . . Hart isn t making a bid for wealth, fame, or cocktail-party acceptance: He knows whereof he speaks." Stefan Beck, New Criterion
--Stefan Beck"New Criterion" (06/01/2009)"
"Hart aims to provide his readers with a persuasive evocation of historical facts, moral judgments, philosophical principles, and theological musings, which may persuade them of the beauty of Christian truth. . . . Atheist Delusions is an honest book, which doesn't hide the sometimes repulsive truths related to the political or social aspects of historical Christianity." Mihail Neamtu, Modern Age--Mihail Neamtu "Modern Age ""
"In this learned, provocative, and sophisticated book, Hart presents a frontal challenge to today's myopic caricature of the culture and religion that existed in previous centuries." Robert Louis Wilken, University of Virginia
--Robert Louis Wilken"
"Indeed, in a culture battle, pitting religion against secularism, Hart may be the best 'corner man' in the business, providing would'be Christian pugilists with a better understanding of both their own strengths and their opponent's weaknesses." Graham Reside, Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology--Graham Reside "Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology ""
Surely Dawkins, Hitchens et al would never have dared put pen to paper had they known of the existence of David Bentley Hart. After this demolition-job all that is left for them to do is repent and rejoice at the discreditation of their erstwhile selves. John Milbank, author of Radical Orthodoxy: A New Theology
--John Milbank"
With impressive erudition and polemical panache, David Hart smites hip and thigh the peddlers of a new atheism that recycles hoary arguments from the past. His grim assessment of our cultural moment challenges the hope that the Christian revolution could happen again. Richard John Neuhaus, former editor in chief of First Things
--Richard John Neuhaus"
"Atheist Delusions" is a history that serves life . . . Hart argues for a brave thesis . . . . With astonishing success, [he] achieves his objective. --;i>The City"
""
--Christopher Benson "The City ""
""Atheist Delusions" is a history that serves life . . . Hart argues for a brave thesis . . . . With astonishing success, [he] achieves his objective."--;i>The City"
""
--Christopher Benson "The City "
"Surely Dawkins, Hitchens et al would never have dared put pen to paper had they known of the existence of David Bentley Hart. After this demolition-job all that is left for them to do is repent and rejoice at the discreditation of their erstwhile selves."--John Milbank, author of "Radical Orthodoxy: A New Theology"
--John Milbank
"With impressive erudition and polemical panache, David Hart smites hip and thigh the peddlers of a 'new atheism' that recycles hoary arguments from the past. His grim assessment of our cultural moment challenges the hope that 'the Christian revolution' could happen again."--Richard John Neuhaus, former editor in chief of "First Things"
--Richard John Neuhaus
