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Among the seven essays collected in Russian Thinkers is perhaps Isaiah Berlin's most famous work, "The Hedgehog and the Fox," which begins with an ancient Greek proverb ("The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing") before taking on Leo Tolstoy's philosophy of history, showing how Tolstoy "was by nature a fox, but believed in being a hedgehog." The other half dozen pieces examine other Russian writers and philosophers, including Alexander Herzen, Ivan Turgenev, and Mikhail Bakunin--although the latter, Berlin says, "is not a serious thinker. There are no coherent ideas to be extracted from his writings of any period, only fire and imagination, violence and poetry, and an ungovernable desire for strong sensations." Few, if any, English-language critics have written as perceptibly about Russian thought and culture as the Latvian-born Berlin, and the history covered in Russian Thinkers is a unique elaboration of Berlin's theses concerning the impact of ideas upon culture.
Customer Reviews:
Berlin at his best - the true fox .......2004-11-11
This study of Russian thinkers is profound and moving. Isaiah Berlin was capable of writing about 'ideas' and their ' development' in a constantly fascinating way. His most well- known essay ' The Hedgehog and the Fox' is in this volume and it seems that Berlin himself was one of those who knew many things and wanted to know many things. His political ideas also took the shape of recognizing conflicting value systems as having validity even when those came from within a single person. Here he writes about the great Russian social and political thinkers Tolstoy, Herzen,Belinsky , Bakunin , Turgenev with characteristic insight, irony and sympathy.
This is a volume anyone interested in the history of ideas should not miss.
Highly Useful Historic Resource.......2002-10-28
This book provides an excellent introduction to the history of Russian thought. I supplemented it with the pertinent chapters of Billington's "The Icon and the Axe" to piece together a general outline of the evolution of Russian political philosophy. Maybe I didn't pay enough attention to Berlin's own philosophizing, but then that wasn't my objective. I found one of his general observations about Russian thought to be particularly useful, i.e. the tendency to follow an idea through to its fullest consequences, no matter how extreme or objectionable. The book nicely sets the stage for how Marxism was able to take hold, showing that it was in some ways an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, intellectual development. The problem is, now that the book has allowed me to cobble together a general framework of Russian thought, the only possible next step is to start directly reading Hegel and Marx! And who wouldn't try to put off a daunting task like that?
Worth the read but...........2002-10-09
Berlin is an interesting and I agree knowing commentator, but one gets the feeling that he understands there is something awry in Communism, but he's not quite sure what. His ideas of freedom are on the mark, but in the post-Communist world they don't quite get to the point. I highly reccomend papal biographer and political pholosopher George Weigel's recent commentaties, (available online). Liberalism was not and is not a sufficient answer to utopian ideology, which Berlin nevertheless correctly asserts will inevitably degenerate into totalitatianism. Even more, in the post-cold war world, relativism has usurped "true" freedom, which presents perhaps an even more dangerous problem than the Soviet one.
The Liberal Predicament.......2002-06-15
This is one of these intellectual & spiritual odysseys of the mind that, after you've digested them, remain embedded in the protoplasm of your mental being. All the Russian 19th century greats (except Pushkin and Dostoevsky ) are here: Herzen, Belinsky, Tolstoy, Turgenev, Bakunin. In a book so saturated with ideas, it is not easy to make a pick- my favorite ones are:
-the hedgehog and the fox metaphor ("The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing"). Human beings are categorized as either "hedgehogs" (whose lives are embodiment of a single, central vision of reality according to which they "feel", breathe, experience and think- "system addicts", in short. Examples include Plato, Dante, Proust and Nietzsche.) or "foxes" ( who live rather centrifugal than centripetal lives, pursue many divergent ends and, generally, possess a sense of reality that prevents them from formulating a definite grand system of "everything"-simply because they "know" that life is too complex to be squeezed into any Procrustean unitary scheme. Montaigne, Balzac, Goethe and Shakespeare are, in various degrees, foxes.)
-precarious position of liberalism-something Berlin was well aware of. A "non-belief belief", liberalism certainly doesn't satisfy "deeper" human needs; also, it managed, following its very nature, to stay away from planned genocides & siren songs of totalitarian power. Yet- Berlin has failed (maybe due to the "history of ideas" nature of this compilation of essays) to answer more fundamental questions plaguing liberal mindset: is it fit to grapple with the 20th/21st century burning issues ? Or- has it mutated into a dark parody of itself, making a pact with postmodern imperial power(s) as represented by X-Filesque military & financial "Free World" greedy elites which batten on the unenviable position of the much of the globe (Latin America, Africa, East Europe & the greater part of Asia) ?
-on strong side, essays on Herzen (Berlin's hero), Turgenev ("Fathers and Children" controversy) and Bakunin (juxtaposed to Herzen) are fresh, universal & not dated at all. Tolstoy is covered unsurpassably, and I doubt it can be done better. On the other hand, some essays, like those on Russia and 1848 revolutions, German Romanticism and Russian populism, although brilliantly weaven, are, in my opinion, more of historical interest than pertinent to our contemporary metastable anxiety condition.
Be as it may: this is an exquisite intellectual tapestry. Buy it.
From Tolstoy to Chernobyl.......2000-06-05
Consider Isaiah Berlin a leading expert on theories of history and Russia an immense problem. The first step is the realization of how big this problem looms in the history of the world. The approach taken by Isaiah Berlin is a combination of history, philosophy, and literature. The most famous chapter of this book, "The Hedgehog and the Fox," examines the falsifications used in WAR AND PEACE to belittle what is usually considered historical in order to prove what Tolstoy believed about real complexity. Some knowledge of calculus (college-level mathematics) might be helpful to get the overall picture. "Our ignorance of how things happen is not due to some inherent inaccessibility of the first causes, only to their multiplicity, the smallness of the ultimate units, and our own inability to see and hear and remember and record and coordinate enough of the available material." (pp. 44-45) The ludicrous embrace of a doctrine like communism was doomed as soon as communism became an enemy of the multiplicity involved in actually getting anything done in a reasonable way, but the people involved needed an ideology to convince them that they had a system for generating nuclear power at Chernobyl, for example. That example is the best, at the moment, for showing how right Tolstoy could be at times. More recent efforts to make Russia function as a free marketplace have demonstrated a danger to which any notion that might be used as an attempt to free a people who don't know the first thing about doing things right could fall prey. All in all, I would rather read this book, as difficult as it is, than be the president of Russia or worse, a newspaper reporter there.
Average customer rating:
- A Guideline for Other Authors
- A Must for those looking for Truth.
- Amazing, Inspiring!
- For those in seach of understanding.
- Knowlege = Freedom
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The Gregg Braden Audio Collection: Awakening the Power of Spiritual Technology : Beyond zero point; The lost mode of Prayer; The Gift of the Blessing; The Isaiah Effect
Gregg Braden
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Release Date: 2005-04-12 |
Book Description
The Gregg Braden Audio Collection brings together for the first time his revolutionary works - including a bonus CD with all new teachings, available nowhere else. Boxed set includes: Beyond Zero Point - Introduces Gregg Braden's pioneering theory that hidden within the earliest prophecies of the Essenes, Hopis, Egyptians, and others lies a universal and sacred sect of technologies with the capacity to alter the future of civilization. The Isaiah Effect - Bridging new insights into the physics of time with ancient wisdom from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Braden reveals how to harness the awesome potential of both prayer and prophecy to create "the Isaiah Effect" - a transformative tool for healing the planet and ourselves. The Lost Mode of Prayer - Through freshly translated texts of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Braden exposes the inner workings of a potent force for creating profound changes in ourselves and those around us. Plus an all-new 60-minute CD on the practice of prayer and how to give and receive the gift of blessing. Includes a special extended guided blessing exercise.
Customer Reviews:
A Guideline for Other Authors.......2007-09-06
Gregg Braden has delivered several books which basically contain the same information over and over again...
A Must for those looking for Truth........2007-09-04
This is absolutely incredible knowledge that we all need to hear and learn, not only for ourselves but for our children and the world! Gregg Braden is such a good speaker and never offends; he is such a kind and caring person which draws you in so intensely. I couldn't get enough of him. I am reading all he has to offer and anything he has on CD. I highly recommend Gregg Braden to anyone that is looking for truth. He offers scientific facts along with ancient knowledge that had been lost.
Amazing, Inspiring!.......2007-08-24
I loved these CD's, Greg Braddon's explanation on his ideas, research & views was inspiring and really easy to understand. My 16yr old daughter sits in the car with me everymorning on our 2hr drive and listens to them with me... it has opened up her mind to a new understanding about life, hope & the future. We are not religious but very spiritual and I recommend these CD's to everyone, every age ... you will love it!
Sonya
For those in seach of understanding........2007-07-05
I found Gregg Braden in my spiritual quest. His work really helped to provide some of the missing pieces that I had. He examines things like the Dead Sea Scrolls, and other texts. His insight to these pieces has helped to provide me with the logic that I needed to bridge spiritual concepts and real life. I have recently started reading and practising "The Secret." The logic and insight of Gregg Braden compliments other spiritual authors like those of "The Secret", Wayne Dwyer, Neal David Walsh and Ester and Jerry Hicks. I recommend Braden's books to others! This information simply makes sense and helps to provide logic to tie everything together! I have just started using "The Gift of the Blessing." These books/audios truly provide spiritual power! Some of the information is redundant from one book to the next but, it all comes together. These are a "must read" for anyone on a spiritual quest!
Knowlege = Freedom.......2007-05-19
Very informative. I found these CD's full of new information. I found them empowering, yet freeing, leaving me with great hope for mankind. We will change our thoughts, we will change the outcome. Thinking green (ie, Al Gore's movie, "The Inconvienent Truth"), along with futher developing our passion towards global peace and acceptance of each other-We can change the outcome. Awareness+Action=Change. Gregg Braden reminds us that their is a lot more going on here on Earth, than we realize, and "yes", we WILL make a difference, mainly as a result of our day to day choices. We make a difference whether we want to admit it or not!! " Man is What He Thinks All Day;" " Our Thoughts Create Our Reality;" "Think Good and Good Follows". Right now, our choices are manifesting the future of mankind. Gregg reminds us of the power within each of us. "WE WILL CHANGE THE 'OUTCOME', WE WILL AVERT THE MAJOR TRAGEDiES PREDICTED IN THE BIBLICAL TEXT FROM LONG AGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Customer Reviews:
not worth a ****.......2007-10-10
The book imo is infiltrated with some nasty new age thoughts. For example does not even understand the importance or rendering the Hebrew word helel, which should be translated Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12. The change in new versions of the bible does not spring from the Hebrew language but, from the new age 'theology' of editors like this guy. Imo the book is just another link in the chain to massive misunderstanding. The whole point of 14 was to describe Lucifer's descent to hell. And, he missed the boat. I returned the book.
itisamystery
AmoderATE,INCISIVE LOOK INSIDE THE MIND OF A MAJOR PROPHET.......2007-04-07
Replacement for Kaiser and Westermann. Canonical approach, especially literary features, theology, history of interpretation. Childs (whose introduction is unsurprisingly short in view of his contention that the final reading of Isaiah is that which is to be regarded as authoritative), does a far better job of consistently engaging critical scholars than Oswalt The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 40-66 (New International Commentary on the Old Testament) over the course of his exposition.
The Best Single Volume Commentary on Isaiah.......2006-11-14
Brevard Childs packs a wealth of information into this 550 page commentary. He sees Isaiah as a work which was lovingly composed by Isaiah and his followers down through the years. He has an excellent grasp of the theological message of the book, and he is very astute at seeing how chapters 34-35 prepare us for the division between Isaiah 1-39 and 40-66.
Childs also makes many helpful comments on the text itself, giving strong arguments for his interpretations (cf. his excellent discussion on the tested stone of Isaiah 28:16). If I could only use one commentary on Isaiah, this one would be it, although it is kind of expensive at $60. You may want to check to see if you can get it for less.
Rev. Marc Axelrod
Sane and scholarly.......2006-08-15
This commentary by Brevard S. Childs on Isaiah, despite being a relatively small volume, is detailed and thorough and offers one a great deal to think about. Every sentence carries weight and authority. Childs knows his subject and offers sane dialogue with the main academic positions, crisp argumentation, and helpful analyses of structural units. (I seldom found myself disagreeing with his choice of units.) Childs respects the text's integrity but unlike some scholars who tend to underplay critical questions, Childs' 'canonical' approach is sophisticated, revealing as it does that he is aware of what issues there are and why these issues exist. Childs strives to understand earlier units of the material in Isaiah *and* the rationale of the text in its final form. His thoughts are never conventional, always interesting and often persuasive. In his discussion on Is 7.14 he argues that neither 'virgin' (KJV) nor 'young woman' (NRSV) accurately translates the Hebrew, the former being too 'narrow' in scope and the later 'too broad' (66).
If I one were to offer a criticism of the work, it would be that Childs is not always easy to follow. I think that he often assumes (incorrectly) that his readers know as much as he does about the subject he is discussing. That is a mistake. For example, on page 47 his thoughts lack clarity and the problem is not helped by the fact that paragraph three contains two serious typing errors (v.13 should be 1.3 and v.3 should be v.13; also on page 48 '17' should be 13). I gain the impression from reading the commentary that Childs is mostly writing for fellow academics, although others are invited to listen in as well. Perhaps there is a touch of scholarly hubris at play here.
The publication is of a very high quality and comes in a beautiful deep red cloth binding that is smythe-sewn. In comparison with other commentaries on Isaiah, I personally regard this work as second only to Brueggemann's commentary, which wrestles at greater length with the meaning of the text itself (as opposed to the scholarly debate around the text). Brueggemann is also more helpful for preachers.
A Solid Commentary on Isaiah.......2006-03-20
I am something of a neophyte to Isaiah studies so I lack extensive knowledge about the commentary market for Isaiah. But Childs' commentary must rank near the top. As commentaries go, Childs' volume is very accessible and concise, that is for a commentary on Isaiah 1-66!
Anyone who is familiar with Childs' previous and extensive body of work can expect more of the same. His interests in theological exegesis and so-called canonical criticism charactise this volume and make it especially suited for those who want a commentary on Isaiah, not a commentary on commentaries on Isaiah, although Childs of course does interact with secondary literature where necessary.
Childs' volume on Isaiah is certainly one which all will find helpful, from student to pastor to scholar. One might wish to supplement Childs' volume with the commentaries by Blenkinsopp (AB) and Oswalt (NICOT).
Customer Reviews:
An Excellent Commentary.......2002-06-12
As a pastor who has just completed preaching through the 2nd half of the book of Isaiah (chaps. 40-66 ) I would emphatically endorse this commentary to anyone studying through Isaiah. The commentary is very practical and gives insights into the text that are profound in my opinion. Very readable and refreshing-here is an OT scholar that actually believes in the unity of Isaiah!
This commentary is by far more useable than either Young's 3 vol. set or Motyer's commentaries, both the TOTC and the IVP volume although these can be used as supplements to Oswalt.
Breathtaking!.......2000-12-01
Having just completed my study of the book of Isaiah, I have to say that I am a little shell-shocked. The depth and breadth of Isaiah's vision is breathtaking, and he is a master in communicating that vision. Much of this is evident even to a layperson like myself, but I cannot overstate the value of a commentary such as this to assist in grasping the extended themes of judgment of the faithless, redemption of the faithful, a promised Messiah, the incomparable faithfulness and glory of the living God, etc.. or how their historical significance has application to my life today.
I worked through two commentaries in my study - Edward Young's three volume set (the original NICOT offering) and Oswalt's two volume set. Without going too far into comparing them, I will say that I found Oswalt's volume to be considerably more accessible to the layperson while still impressively scholarly in tackling the textual controversies which are rife in Isaiah scholarship.
Oswalt's commentary lies in the evangelical tradition of Biblical scholarship, which means that he accepts the scriptural and traditional testimony of Isaianic authorship for the complete book, and also that his interpretation falls within the historical Christian paradigm.
He is generous in drawing from liberal and conservative studies together for interpretation of the text while at the same time very penetrating in his analysis and criticism of the a priori arguments raised by liberals in rejection of Isaiah's authorship of the whole book.
But I found most valuable the heightened vision of God and his glorious Messiah, along with the challenge to myself to seek to live a godly life before him which Oswalt has imparted to me through this commentary. I heartily recommend this commentary to all who want to understand the book of Isaiah, the Bible, and above all, their relationship God.
Customer Reviews:
Peculiar Precepts.......2007-09-04
The Mrs. and I have taken to reading this book as a couple and the first thing that we have noticed is that the author has a unique perspective of Isaiah and its relationship to the institutionalization of the word. That is to say the two aren't congruent and it would be safe to say we need to heed the words of Isaiah and turn ourselves back to the people that the Book of Mormon prefers us to be. It's an exciting book that needs to be read twice. Leadership needs to read this.
Review of Nephi's Isaiah.......2007-05-25
Wonderful book that helps with understanding the Isaiah scriptures that have been included in the Book of Mormon.
Read, Re-Read, Study, Reference to, and Share..........2007-02-04
This work represents again, Denver's abiding love and respect for the Lord. Through scriptural quotations and prophet's words he reminds us to remember the counsel and warnings of ancient day prophets who foretold the Latter Days in which we now live. Take advantage of Denver's years of study of the scriptures, knowledge, and cross references to better understand the wisdom and revelations of the Book of Mormon Prophet Nephi and the Bible Prophet Isaiah.
I have great respect for Denver for writing his insights, research, knowledge of, and understanding of the workings and mysteries of God in his two published books, "Nephi's Isaiah" and "Conversing with the Lord through the Veil." His writings are inspired teaching texts with candid words of interpretations that dovetail ancient and modern prophet's counsel. The warnings and counsel given here are a reality we must not be too busy to learn of, understand, heed, re-teach in our homes, and share with others. "Nephi was a brilliant Prophet Writer" and Denver helps us to see and understand his messages so we may walk in a straighter path towards exaltation. Thank you again Denver for your efforts to teach what our Father would have us learn through your writings.
Book Description
Recipient of a Christianity Today 1994 Critics Choice Award!Among Old Testament prophetic books no other equals Isaiah's brilliance of style and metaphor, its arresting vision of the Holy One of Israel and its kaleidoscopic vision of God's future restoration of Israel and the world. Now, after over three decades of studying and teaching Isaiah, Alec Motyer presents a wealth of commentary and perspective on this book. His emphasis is on the grammatical, historical, structural, literary and theological dimensions of the text. Though based on the Hebrew text, his exposition easily accomodates readers without a working knowledge of biblical Hebrew. And he writes with an interest in Isaiah's meaning for Christians today.Along the historical timeline on which the Isaianic prophecies are strung, Motyer finds three central and recurring themes: the messianic hope, the motif of the city and the theology of the Holy One of Israel. Moreover, he argues, the Isaianic literature is organized around three messianic portraits: the King (Isaiah 1-37), the Servant (Isaiah 38-55) and the Anointed Conqueror (Isaiah 56-66).Preachers, teachers and serious Bible students of all types will find this commentary a wise, winsome and welcome guide to the prophecy of Isaiah. It may easily be the best one-volume evangelical commentary on Isaiah available today.
Customer Reviews:
Terrific One Volume Evangelical Christian Commentary on Isaiah.......2006-11-15
It's amazing how much solid exegesis and theology Motyer packed into this one volume commentary on Isaiah. Motyer is more willing to come out and say that certain prophecies in Isaiah were fulfilled by Jesus. He is also quite good at discerning the structure of the text. For example, he expounds Isaiah 26:19-26 and makes a nice diagram of the blessings associated with living under God's kingdom of justice and righteousness.
This commentary is not quite as elegantly written as the single volume masterpiece penned by Brevard Childs, but Motyer is a reliable guide through the visions that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Jothan, Uzziah, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1-2). I highly recommend this commentary.
Rev. Marc Axelrod
Isaiah Prophesized God's Son and the Resurrection........2006-11-10
Isaiah's Teachings Need To Be Observed Today.,
We need some of Isaiah's preachings and teachings in today's society as there are too many frauds around to stir up trouble, those who don't believe in God and God's will. Sin will be avenged by an judging God and there will be more disasters in sinful areas such are springing up in my town by people like the false journalists and drug users, drunks among the condo dwellers; it is a drug haven in the culture of today, and God will show that it is not his Will or Purpose to put this on God-fearing people. The drunks and liars of this world will be in a sad shape after God has finished changing their lives and they will be in dire need of help from ethics, religious faith, and just plain pure good luck.
Isaiah was the seer of the Old Testament, after all, he prophesized the coming of Christ as the Son of God. In college, he was my favorite prophet, after I was assigned in Religion class to research Deuto-Isiah. Whoever would have thought that the book of Isaiah was written by two different individuals? It was.
First class commentary on Isaiah.......2006-04-25
There can be no doubt that this is a major commentary. The author argues from a modern evangelical standpoint for the intrinsic unity of the work and proves that evangelical scholars are not inferior to their liberal counterparts. Motyer divides the work into three sections (Book of the King 1-37, Book of the Servant 38-55, Book of the Anointed Conqueror 56-66) thereby placing the Messianic focus at the centre of the prophet's vision.
For me the strength of the work lies in its detailed exegesis, although a great deal of attention is also devoted to structural analysis of each section. Pastors will find this an outstanding commentary for sermon preparation. The author has a gift in his ability to translate ancient Isaianic concepts into a modern idiom, making Isaiah thoroughly contemporaneous. In addition, the author penetrates into the heart of the work in a way other evangelical writers have not (e.g. Oswalt's commentary which is steady but dry and nowhere near as engaging). Motyer's brilliance may be illustrated in his discussion of Isaiah 58 which deals with the question of fasting. Motyer reckons that the problem here is that the Sabbath had been turned into a fast day, when in fact it was a feast day: He writes: "The Lord is more interested in enjoyment of his blessings through obedience than in self-imposed deprivations. The heart of true religion is to conform to what God has ordained." (483)
On the critical level: the visual presentation of the commentary is difficult to follow. The structural analyses of units seems forced and the Motyer often provides no answer to questions that I had raised in my reading. I would also have liked, since this is a Christian reading, a greater dialogue with ancient interpreters, notably Calvin. Motyer quotes Calvin but he has clearly not engaged with his exegesis, nor that of Luther, or any other ancient writer for that fact. Once I detected a clear anti-liturgical bias ("A religion of rite and formalism has no divine authorization", 46) and there are some typos (Is 57.19 on page 479 should be 57.18).
In conclusion: this is a wise commentary choice on Isaiah (alongside that of Brueggemann and Child) although the author does not really engage with the critical issues raised by modern scholars. Motyer also wrote a commentary on Isaiah in the Tyndale series. This large commentary is to be preferred to that. The Tyndale edition is a poorly edited downsized edition of this one, and leaves out most of the good stuff.
J.A Motyer, student of Isaiah!.......1999-11-25
A massive masterpiece. Motyer, who is a life long student of Isaiah produces this evangelical commentary that will remain the standard. Written from a conservative stance, yet passionate and convincing. Any one who intends to do serious study in Isaiah must deal with this work.
Book Description
LIFECHANGE Bible studies allow the Bible to speak for itself. You'll see for yourself what it says-not what someone else thinks it says-and develop the skills and desire to dig even deeper into God's Word.
Customer Reviews:
Pretty Good.......2007-03-31
After searching for a companion book for the Book of Isaiah I found there are not very many to choose from. The choices are either a massive (400+ page) dissertation or this. I was looking for more of a history of the time period from Isaiah than this but this book isn't bad. It's meant to be a group based textbook but I'm learning a lot from it going through it myself. There are a few other books out there but be careful because they are Mormon based books. (I'm a Christian) Considering the lack of books available in this category I'm convinced this is the best you'll find. The best way it could be improved is to set much more of an historical background of what was going on politically in Isaiah's time.
Customer Reviews:
Leading the way, once again........2006-05-25
This two-volume commentary on Isaiah divides the book into two main parts in accordance with the majority of critical scholars (1-39 and 40-66; chapters 56-66 are treated separately in volume 2). The full text of the NRSV is printed together with the commentary in a clear font on acid free paper. The publication is of a high standard although the volumes are bound with glue and not smythe sewn. I am pleased that the publishers decided on two volumes, because had they settled on one, this would have been a cumbersome book to handle.
Brueggemann requires little introduction and this commentary is marked by all the excellent things one has come to associate with his name: massive learning, clarity of understanding and expression, and theological passion. The following stood out for me:
1. Brueggemann applies Isaianic concepts to modern life in a sophisticated way unlike some commentators whose application is overly pietistic.
2. Brueggemann is seldom predicable. For instance, he unexpectedly repudiates the notion that Isaiah 42.14 is an argument for a feminine side to Yahweh.
3. The exegesis in this commentary is never fussy although Brueggemann knows when to address detail, the mark of a judicious scholar. There is not too much commentary on minutia as often occurs in Motyer's commentary, nor does Brueggemann engage excessively with modern scholars. The result is a commentary free of intrusive references that focuses on the text of Scripture and not on scholarly issues surrounding the text (e.g. Childs).
4. Brueggemann draws extensively on the theological contributions of Luther and Calvin as one might hope in a Westminster John Knox publication. The result is exciting and creative exegesis. For example, his exposition on the "dull" passage on Shebna the King's steward (22.15-25) comes alive and breathes relevance. His comments on the "boring" section of the Proto-Isaiah, 'Oracles against the nations' (13-23) is brilliant.
5. Brueggemann expounds the meaning of important words with care and his discussions are always illuminating, surprising and useful (e.g. his discussion of the word "comfort" in Isaiah 40).
6. His exposition of one of Isaiah's key chapters (chapter 6) is a classic in its own right and for this chapter alone I would have bought both volumes! There is much to value in other key passages as well (such as Is 7, 11, 52-53).
In conclusion, despite a competitive market of excellent commentaries on Isaiah that includes Childs, Motyer, and Tucker (in the New Interpreter's Bible), Brueggemann's commentary is by some distance the best of them all.
A recommended addition to any biblical library........1999-03-29
Judgement and Promise - the book of Isaiah is pregnant with both and Walter Brueggemann is the textual midwife. Brueggemann (Professor of Old Testament Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta) is first and foremost a theologian of the text, and his theology emanates from scripture. After a lifetime of devotion as a scholar of Biblical text, Brueggemann sees God living and flowing through, in and under the scripture.
Throughout the Old Testament, and clearly in Isaiah, Brueggemann's God is an entangled God. A God who purposely embroils Himself in the affairs of a despairing and divergent world. Isaiah is God's ordained messenger, sent to challenge, critique and criticize the false security and faith in Israel's society. Isaiah begs them to realize their doomed destiny. He is calling out relentlessly to Judah, plaintively petitioning them to beware of the impending apocalypse. Yet, the people, steeped in religion, and mesmerized by the glitter of their materialistic well being is no longer capable of scrutinizing the incongruities, ambiguities and contradictions that shackles them and leads them towards captivity.
In Bruggemann's commentary Isaiah saw a time of darkness and despair, where doom was inevitable and the eyes of the people of Israel, especially the religious and political leaders of Judah, were blind. This was a time when the people called by God, redeemed by God, actively rejected God. Death and destruction were to follow. Jerusalem would fall. The temple would be leveled in 587 B.C.E. Yet for all of this Isaiah did not leave the people without hope (Isaiah 40-66); for he saw a time when promise would follow judgement. He prophecies of a time for the people of God when peace, spiritual prosperity and a new beginning would come.
Walter Brueggemann excels in his ability to illuminate the text and truth for his readers. As he exegetes the scripture, laying bear its truth and its relevancy to us today, he calls for the reader to draw their own conclusions about the application of the text to today's world. His commentary on Isaiah is scholarly, but not densely academic. It breaths new life into ancient texts. Isaiah 1-39 by Walter Brueggeman is a recommended addition to any biblical library, and a must for any student of Isaiah.
Book Description
In this outstanding collection of essays, Isaiah Berlin, one of the great thinkers of the twentieth century, discusses the importance in the history of thought of dissenters whose ideas still challenge conventional wisdom--among them Machiavelli, Vico, Montesquieu, Herzen, and Sorel. With his unusual powers of imaginative re-creation, Berlin brings to life original minds that swam against the current of their times.
Customer Reviews:
Do you want to make a step to understand the present world?.......2006-07-26
If you think the present world is full of contradictions, of opposing philosophies, and that it might be doomed, please give a chance at this set of essais by Isaiah Berlin. Not only his writing is clear and flowing, but his argumentation is very enlightening. Isaiah Berlin will never be controversial. He will never take a strong position. He will let you decide. Like an archeologist, he put back to life the ideas who were considered crazy at their time, and now looked much more reasonable. Even the introduction by Roger Hausheer gives you a lecherous taste of what is inside. And I was not disappointed. Thinking that there are ten more books on essays by Berlin, my head is spining. Did he not say already everything in this one...?
The special joy of seeing a great mind work.......2005-01-17
Itis simply a great pleasure to read Isaiah Berlin. His richness in thought, his verbal fluency his strong sense of values and clear understanding of the historical context in which he is presenting the ideas- all this combines to make reading him an adventure of the mind. In this work the third group of his essays put together by his faithful student and friend Henry Hardy the theme is those thinkers who go against the current, who walk their own way, hear their own drummer. Macchiavelli, Vico,Hume,Montesquieu, Herzen, Disraeli,Moses Hess, Verdi, and Marx, Sorel are all interpreted here . There is an essay on' The Counter- Enlightentment, one on The Divorce between the Sciences and the Humanities, one on ' Nationalism: Past Neglect and Present Power. The introduction to the volume is written by Roger Hausher.
As with all the writings of Berlin one will learn a great deal by reading this work- and have great pleasure in doing so.
Brilliant!.......2002-09-05
Sir Isaiah Berlin was the greatest exponent of Liberal Pluralism
in the 20th Century. "Against The Current" is probably his best collection of essays. The essays on Verdi and George Sorel are worth the price of the book alone. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You will not regret it.
Brilliant!.......2002-09-05
Sir Isaiah Berlin was the greatest exponent of Liberal Pluralism
in the 20th Century. "Against The Current" is probably his best collection of essays. The essays on Verdi and George Sorel are worth the price of the book alone. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You will not regret it.
Phenomenal, rambling, tour de force........2000-06-24
In this, his most accessible work, Berlin deals with a host of subjects. The volume contains one of the truly great critical essays on Machiavelli, a brilliant parallel lives exposition of Marx and Disraeli, the classic essay on the Counter-Enlightenment and an amazing 'Hedgehog and Fox'-like analysis of Verdi. Yet again Berlin shows us his gift of imaginative insight - what Vico called 'entrare' - that allows him apparent access to minds, ideologies and cultures utterly alien to his own. He also shows us his gifts as a musician and rhetoriceur, using all his old tricks of repitition and word association. This is, as is usual in his works, as much a flaw as a blessing,and his 'entrare' often ends on a note achingly reminiscent of his own political pluralism, but for all that it is still a masterly collection.
Average customer rating:
- A memorable essay in the history of ideas
- Tolstoy's views on history elucidated
- A brilliant book....
- A creative interpretation of Tolstoy
- A view of existance, history that many never think.
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The Hedgehog and the Fox: An Essay on Tolstoy's View of History
Isaiah Berlin
Manufacturer: Ivan R. Dee, Publisher
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Binding: Paperback
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Liberty: Incorporating Four Essays on Liberty
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Russian Thinkers (Penguin Philosophy)
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ASIN: 1566630193 |
Book Description
The masterly essay on Tolstoy's view of history, in which Sir Isaiah underlines a fundamental distinction between those people (foxes) who are fascinated by the infinite variety of things and those (hedgehogs) who relate everything to a central, all-embracing system. This little book is so entertaining, as well as acute, that the reader hardly notices that it is learned too. --Arnold Toynbee
Customer Reviews:
A memorable essay in the history of ideas .......2004-10-18
This is perhaps the most famous essay ever written in the history of ideas. Berlin analyzes the mind of Tolstoy as revealed in 'War and Peace'. He uses a quotation from Aristochulus , "The hedgehog knows one big thing, but the fox knows many little things "He then categorizes various intellectual figures as hedgehogs or foxes. He says that Tolstoy was a fox who wanted to be a hedgehog. In other words Tolstoy longed to put all reality into one great explanatory system but his faithfulness to his own remarkable sense of perception led him to see everywhere the fine distinctions and individual differences which constitute his own richly varied world.
What is interesting is that Berlin himself was fundamentally a fox in the world of ideas. He believed that there could be no one fundamental system explaining all. He not simply reveled in the variety of ideas, but he thought in terms of values that ' ideal ends' even within the individual's own thought are incompatible. That is that it is not simply a question of the ' variety of the world' which confounds the system - builder but the ' inherent contradictions ' within it , which cannot be resolved into any great single Platonic or Hegelian system.
A celebrator of the variety of life and existence Berlin saw that Tolstoy could represent and create such variety in the highest possible way while still somehow wishing he were able to unite it all into one.
Apparently there is 'no unified field theory' in the world of history or the history of ideas , either.
Tolstoy's views on history elucidated.......2003-05-28
Sir Isaiah Berlin has written a critical acclaim of the historic views of famous Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy as expressed in one of his masterpieces "War and Piece". In 'The Hedgehog and The Fox' (1953), Dr. Berlin compares and contracts the monist and pluralist historical philosophies. According to Archilochus "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." This can be interpreted that there is a philosophy of a single undiminished holistic truth or principle governing all history, or there is a myriad little ideas, truths and inclinations which together govern mens historical experience.
Tolstoy, according to Berlin, is a fox (whose talent is by the way in precisely being a fox), who is however convinced in the ways of the hedgehog. Tolstoy is at his greatest when he describes the subtle undertones of human existence, these barely perceptible little differences which makes living so full and colorful, range of emotions and feelings. He does not believe, however, that this is all that is, and insists on some ill-defined fundamental truth. This makes his writing wooden, unhistorical, and simplistic at times.
Berlin makes a perceptive observations on the interest of Tolstoy's in some of the figures of Counter-Enlightenment (such as Maestre and Vico). These proponents of the view of the world which denies all-pervasive powers of reductionist science and allocates the central place to a simple idea (e.g. Christian moral idea) are closer to Tolstoy; and from this point of view and interest Tolstoy's last "religious" period owes its inspiration. Berlin shows Tolstoy as a tragic genius riddled with contradictions and frustrations of misapprehension of his enormous talents in inability to say what he wanted to say the most - paint a true picture of human historical experience.
Style of Berlin's polemic is as always colorful, insightful, supremely observant and scholarly. Essay is no longer then 75 pages and would make for a delightful Sunday afternoon reading. Highly recommended!
A brilliant book...........2000-10-19
I really want to disagree with the reviewer below who said that this book is "overly academic" and "not interesting to someone without a serous research interest in Tolstoy". C'mon.
This is a HIGHLY readable book though probably only one that should be read after having read 'War and Peace'. In combination, the boring sections of 'War and Peace' and this book provide a pretty interesting dialogue and line of thought that can be comprehended by most anyone.....
This is a beautiful book and one that can be appreciated by tons the teeming multitudes and not just self-righteous undergraduates at small colleges in Massachusetts. Berlin is a very readable philosopher, which explains much of the reason WHY he is held in such esteem in the Anglo-American philosophical community....
Finally, who could ever say that this little tiny red book was worth neither the effort nor the expense. A must-buy.
A creative interpretation of Tolstoy.......2000-07-19
In this essay, Isaiah Berlin discusses and interprets Tolstoy's view of history. In the process, he uses Tolstoy's enormous novel, WAR AND PEACE, as his major source. Those of you who have read WAR AND PEACE will remember the frequent theoretical passages that discuss the practice and philosophy of history. These passages provide Berlin with fodder for his examination.
Berlin claims that there are two broad categories of thinkers: hedgehogs and foxes. Hedgehogs single-mindedly pursue one ideological goal and organize their thoughts in relation to it. Foxes are knowledgeable in a number of areas but do not specialize in any one.
The basic claim of Berlin's essay is that Tolstoy is a fox masquerading as a hedgehog. Tolstoy desperately wants to believe in a single thing, but is thwarted by his own personality. This dynamic profoundly affects Tolstoy's view of history. As a fox, he exposes past philosophies of history as the oversimplifications they are. They do not sufficiently take into account the complexity of every event and of every individual. However, Tolstoy is unable to produce the positive theory of history which he demands of himself (i.e. he is unable to make himself a hedgehog).
Berlin's essay is a very innovative and interesting interpretation of an aspect of Tolstoy's thought that is frequently dismissed. It is also a work of literary and philosophical criticism. Its tone is academic, and if Tolstoy's own digressions in WAR AND PEACE bore you, you may not want to pick this book up. Given the interest, though, this book is a thought-provoking complement to the work of this sometimes enigmatic Russian author.
A view of existance, history that many never think........1998-05-04
An easy read--written in extremely beautiful language--that makes one re-think of the world and society around.
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