Divining History

Insightful, astute, thoughtful, this book traces the developments of liberal Jewish and Christian theologies of history Creatively synthesizing many primary and secondary texts, this book will interest religion and philosophy students, theologians, and historians. Recommended. Choice [this book] provides an utterly cogent methodological response to contemporary scholarly debates about genealogical origins of secular modernity. It offers in five chapters a meticulous close reading of a fascinating variety of texts demonstrating how prophetic and messianic takes on historical meaning have continued to inform the history of historical, philosophical, and political thought. Religious Studies Review The evolution of the concept of history and its apocalyptic elements are lucidly brought forth in a fascinating new book by the Swedish theologian and historian Jayne Svenungsson, exploring uses of history from the Old Testament prophets to todays Paul-inspired philosophers. Politiken Svenungssons analysis of contemporary theory is as historically insightful as one could wish. She shows how the motifs found in biblical texts recur in the works of varied thinkers writing as if they were independent of this historical tradition Even those with no interest in theology of history or deep-seated religious motifs should consider reading Svenungssons book. Respons

Jayne Svenungsson is Professor of Systematic Theology at Lund University, Sweden. She is part of the interdisciplinary research program Time, Memory and Representation: Transformations in Historical Consciousness. Her recent publications include the books Jewish Thought, Utopia, and Revolution and Monument and Memory.

Preface Chapter 1. The God of History Chapter 2. The Ages of History Chapter 3. Romantic History Chapter 4. History after God Chapter 5.The Politics of History Postface: A Theopolitical Vision Bibliography Index