John Locke: Vindications of the Reasonableness of Christianity Vindications of the Reasonableness of Christianity

This volume makes available for the first time critical editions of John Locke's A Vindication and A Second Vindication of the Reasonableness of Christianity, in which Locke defends his interpretation of the New Testament and of the Christian Religion against charges of heterodoxy. These works contribute greatly to our understanding of Locke's Christian commitments, which it is now recognized played an important role in shaping his philosophical opinions; they also demonstrate his sophistication as a biblical scholar, and the breadth of his theological learning. The texts are accompanied by a historical introduction explaining the origin of the works and setting them in context. In addition to a textual introduction and critical apparatus, editorial notes help to clarify the text. The volume also includes a French translation and abridgment by Pierre Coste, a Huguenot scholar, who was patronized by Locke and worked on his translations while residing in Locke's household. This definitive edition is an important contribution to an understanding of the development of modern enlightened Christian attitudes.

General Introduction; Textual Introduction; Introduction to Pierre Coste's French version of the Vindications; A Vindication of the Reasonableness of Christianity, &c. ; A Second Vindication of the Reasonableness of Christianity, &c.; MS Locke c. 29. fo. 99: A fragment of a defence of The Reasonableness of Christianity; Appendices; Bibliography; Index

Victor Nuovo has lectured at Middlebury College, Vermont, since 1962as Professor of Religion, and then as Professor of Philosophy from 1975. He completed his PhD at Columbia University, and is the author of translations of two of Paul Tillich's early writings on Schelling, The Construction of the History of Religion in Schelling's Positive Philosophy and Mysticism and Guilt-Consciousness in Schelling's Philosophical Development (1975), and a study of Tillich's theology of culture: Visionary Science (1987). He has been working on early modern philosophy for over twenty years, and has been engaged in Locke studies since retirement from full time teaching.