A Theological-Political Treatise [Part III]
- Language:
- English
- Status:
- Complete work
- Authorship:
- Written by the author
- Condition of the text:
- Clean text
- Extent:
- ~16,600 words · 79 passages
Cite this work
- APABaruch Spinoza. (n.d.). A Theological-Political Treatise [Part III]. SigPhi. https://sigphiai.com/en/works/baruch-spinoza/a-theological-political-treatise-part-iii
- MLABaruch Spinoza. "A Theological-Political Treatise [Part III]." SigPhi, https://sigphiai.com/en/works/baruch-spinoza/a-theological-political-treatise-part-iii.
- ChicagoBaruch Spinoza. A Theological-Political Treatise [Part III]. SigPhi. https://sigphiai.com/en/works/baruch-spinoza/a-theological-political-treatise-part-iii.
What it is about
Third part of Elwes's translation: the interpretation of Scripture and the inquiry into who really wrote the biblical books.
Context and history
Published without an author's name in 1670, under a false imprint, and banned in 1674: it was the most dangerous book of its century, and contemporaries understood this at once. The thesis that carries everything is that the freedom to philosophise does not threaten piety or the peace of the state — suppressing it is what destroys them. To get there, Spinoza does something no one had done with such rigour: he reads Scripture as a historical document, written by men for men, in which prophecy is vivid imagination rather than knowledge, and miracles can prove nothing, because nothing happens outside the order of nature. Modern biblical criticism descends from this. The final chapters draw the political consequence: the covenant transfers power but not the capacity to think, and a state that tries to rule over opinions therefore injures itself. The English translation is Elwes's, of 1883, divided into four parts in the corpus.
Editorial context, not a citable source: unlike the passages of the work itself, these statements cannot be checked against the corpus.
CHAPTER XI - An Inquiry whether the Apostles wrote their Epistles as Apostles and Prophets, or merely as Teachers, and an Explanation of what is meant by Apostle. The epistles not in the prophetic style. The Apostles not commanded to write or preach in particular places. Different methods of teaching adopted by the Apostles. CHAPTER XII - Of the true Original of the Divine Law, and wherefore Scripture is called Sacred, and the Word of God. How that, in so far as it contains the Word of God, it has come down to us uncorrupted. CHAPTER XIII - It is shown, that Scripture teaches only very Simple Doctrines, such as suffice for right conduct. Error in speculative doctrine not impious - nor knowledge pious. Piety consists in obedience. CHAPTER XIV - Definitions of Faith, the True Faith, and the Foundations of Faith, which is once for all separated from Philosophy. Danger resulting from the vulgar idea of faith. The only test of faith obedience and good works. As different men are disposed to obedience by different opinions, universal faith can contain only the simplest doctrines. Fundamental distinction between faith and philosophy - the key-stone of the present treatise. CHAPTER XV - Theology is shown not to be subservient to Reason, nor Reason to Theology: a Definition of the reason which enables us to accept the Authority of the Bible. Theory that Scripture must be accommodated to Reason - maintained by Maimonides - already refuted in Chapter vii. Theory that Reason must be accommodated to Scripture - maintained by Alpakhar - examined. And refuted. Scripture and Reason independent of one another. Certainty, of fundamental faith not mathematical but moral. Great utility of Revelation. Author's Endnotes to the Treatise. CHAPTER XI - AN INQUIRY WHETHER THE APOSTLES WROTE THE