In Praise of Wisdom: Literary and Theological Reflections on Faith and Reason
(Paperback)
Publishing Details
In Praise of Wisdom: Literary and Theological Reflections on Faith and Reason
By (Author) Kim Paffenroth
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
1st May 2006
United Kingdom
Classifications
Tertiary Education
Non Fiction
Theology
Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts
Nature and existence of God and of the Divine
231.6
Physical Properties
Paperback
192
270g
Description
"You are taken to task more for your lack of wisdom than you are praised for your harmful mildness" King Lear
Kim Paffenroth's book examines several major aspects and developments of the Biblical concept of Wisdom. He focuses on Wisdom as it evolves through the works of Shakespeare, Goethe, Melville, and Dostoevsky.
The getting of Wisdomthe ultimate expression of joining of head and heart in search of God is a key theme not only in biblical Wisdom literature but one of the major themes in Western literature. Lear, Ahab, Ishmael, Ivan Karamzov all are in search of that meaningful combination of head and heart that brings a real knowledge of the world and of God tothem. Wisdom is therefore the basis of a relationship with God, and the foundation of human happiness, freedom, and fulfillment.Paffenroth examines wisdom under four broad categories: the destructiveness of folly; the feminine side of Wisdom; the folly of Christ as Wisdom; and the problem of suffering, especially as it highlights the inadequacy of reason.
"This is a major contribution to the study of literature and theology." David Jasper, Professor of Literature and Theology, University of Glasgow.
Reviews
"Paffenroth's analyses and synthesis of ideas is nothing short of remarkable, and this is a wonderful book for those seeking after wisdom, wisdom of discernment about how to live one's life in an examined and conscious way. Paffenroth is an engaging author, and his creative insights into the material are quite remarkable." -Fr. Kurt Massick -- Fr. Kurt Massick
" Kim Paffrenroth, the author, is well read in a wide range of literature and he shares these in his chosen texts, revealing wisdom as an expression of the positive interactions of faith and reason as mutually dependent ways of human knowing." - Reviews in Religion and Theology, September 2005. * Reviews in Religion and Theology *
Author Bio
Kim Paffenroth is Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Honors Program at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York.
