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Oslo II: Where Will it Lead?

November 15, 1995 | Daniel J. Elazar

Power, Politics and Religion in Spinoza’s Political Thought

April 25, 1995

In this essay we seek to discuss the relationship between religion and politics in the political theory of Spinoza. Since Spinoza's politics is grounded in power, we must make an effort to understand the contribution both politics and religion make to the power of the state. In this connection our starting point is not one of arguing that Spinoza first seeks to undermine religion for the sake of some secular project. Rather, Spinoza saw religion as a necessary feature of political life. The problem then becomes one of reconciling some of the central features of religion with those of politics. This process of reconciliation alters the character of both religion and politics, and we outline the elements of that alteration. The concepts of justice and charity play a critical role in this process. We also examine the way in which piety and salvation are reconstituted. Finally, some speculation on the implications of a transformed religion and politics are noted at the end of this essay.

The Use and Abuse of the Bible in Spinoza’s Tractatus Theologico-Politicus by Harvey Shulman

April 25, 1995

The Tractatus Theologico-Politicus is Spinoza's great work directing us to his view of the superiority of the political-secular jurisdiction of the state over its religious dimension. For Spinoza, biblical exegesis and hermeneutics were autonomous scholarly endeavors, separate from traditional biblical homiletics. His theological political approach leads him to hone and explicate the prophetic texts for their secular and political implications, undermining the belief that a definitive sacred history took precedence over the secular narrative. The Bible becomes a vehicle for affirming, or refuting, political interests, historically, and for Spinoza's own time. Through his biblical commentary, Spinoza articulates a commitment to a secular, liberal, republican politics, where philosophers have the security and freedom to reflect on ideas, free from any religious dogma and interference. Spinoza's use and abuse of the Bible are also an indictment of two millennia of Jewish scholarship and faith, and also implicitly undermines Christian beliefs about Christ's divinity and sacred dogma.

Reading the Bible with Spinoza by George Gross

April 25, 1995

Spinoza and the Bible

April 25, 1995

The Woeful State of Saudi Finances

February 1, 1995 | Eliyahu Kanovsky

The Peace Process After One Year

December 1, 1994 | Zalman Shoval

Israel and the PLO Now Struggle for Leverage

September 16, 1993 | Amb. Dore Gold

Changing U.S. Interests in the Middle East

May 2, 1993

Clinton and the Middle East: Decision Making and the New Administration

April 1, 1993

The U.S.-Israel Relationship: Mounting Misperceptions in Washington

April 15, 1992 | Amb. Dore Gold

Authority and Legitimacy in Jewish Leadership: The Case of Lucien Wolf (1857-1930)

April 2, 1992

Louis Marshall, the Jewish Vote, and the Republican Party

April 2, 1992 | David G. Dalin

A National Solution to the Palestinian Problem

March 1, 1992 | Raphael Israeli

Syria and Terrorism

November 15, 1991 | Dr. Boaz Ganor