Peter J. Leithart

As Weinsheimer ( Gadamer’s Hermeneutics: A Reading of Truth and Method , p. 150) explains, Dilthey like every other theorist of historical hermeneutics is haunted by the Hegelian ghost he tries to escape. For Dilthey, the problem is to prove the coherence and unity of history. He points to . . . . Continue Reading »

Weinsheimer ( Gadamer’s Hermeneutics: A Reading of Truth and Method , p. 144) neatly summarizes the dilemma of anti-Hegelian historicism, influenced as it was by the hermeneutical theories of Schleiermacher and later Dilthey. Here’s the problem: Historicism rejects the Hegelian notion . . . . Continue Reading »

Gadamer ( Truth and Method (Continuum Impacts) , p. 180 ) says, “We begin with this proposition: understanding means, first of all, understanding one another. Understanding is first of all having come to a mutual understanding. People understand one another immediately for the most part, or . . . . Continue Reading »

The NYT Book Review has a fascinating review of Bernie Krause’s The Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World’s Wild Places , which argues that “the healthier the habitat, the more ‘musical’ the creatures, the richer and more diverse their . . . . Continue Reading »

Acts 2:43-45: They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold . . . . Continue Reading »

We steal because we think we don’t have something we need or should have. We don’t have enough money, the right kind of electronic device or blouse, our favorite candy. We steal because we believe good things are scarce. Sometimes we steal intangible things. Our co-worker or friend has . . . . Continue Reading »

“Where have you been for the past week? You must be the only one in town who doesn’t know what happened.” Cleopas and his friend were rushing to get out of Jerusalem. Three days before, the Romans had captured their teacher, tried him, and crucified him. They knew what Romans did . . . . Continue Reading »

As Young notes ( In Procession Before the World: Martyrdom As Public Liturgy in Early Christianity (The Pere Marquette Lecture in Theology, 2001) , p. 12), the early Christians had their own way of taking over the Roman entertainment industry: Martyrs “invaded those spectacles and turned them . . . . Continue Reading »

In her 2001 Pere Marquette Lecture Robin Darling Young ( In Procession Before the World: Martyrdom As Public Liturgy in Early Christianity (The Pere Marquette Lecture in Theology, 2001) , pp. 1-2 ) notes that martyrdom in the early church highlights the clash between “opposing religious . . . . Continue Reading »

Leviticus 19:35 interestingly links justice with proper measurements and balances. “You shall do no injustice in judgment” ( lo-ta’asu ‘avel bammishpat ), the verse begins. This repeats exactly the opening of 19:15. 19:15 goes on to warn about favoritism in court: “You . . . . Continue Reading »