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Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729-81) stands as a key figure in German intellectual history, a bridge joining Luther, Leibniz, and German idealism. Despite his well-recognized importance in the history of thought, Lessing as theologian or philosopher of religion remains an enigmatic figure. Scholars refer to the "riddle" or "mystery" of Lessing, a mystery that has proved intractable because of his reticence on the subject of the final conclusions of his intellectual project. Toshimasa Yasukata seeks to unravel this mystery. Based on intensive study of the entire corpus of Lessing's philosophical and theological writings as well as the extensive secondary literature, Yasukata's work takes us into the systematic core of Lessing's thought. From his penetrating and sophisticated analysis of Lessing's developing position on Christianity and reason, there emerges a fresh image of Lessing as a creative modern mind, who is both shaped by and gives shape to the Christian heritage.
The first comprehensive study in English of Lessing's theological and philosophical thought, this book will appeal to all those interested in the history of modern theology, as well as specialists in the Enlightenment and the German romantic movement.
List of contents
- Abbreviations
- Note on Texts and Translations
- Introduction
- 1: Lessing and Christianity
- 2: The Religious Thought of the Young Lessing
- 3: The Controversy between Lessing and Goeze
- 4: Lessing's "Ugly Broad Ditch"
- 5: Nathan the Wise and Lessing's "Ideal of Humanity"
- 6: Lessing's Basic Thought in The Education of the Human Race
- 7: Lessing's "Spinozism"
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
About the author
Born in Japan,
Toshimasa Yasukata received a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. He is now Professor of European Intellectual History at Seigakuin University in Saitama, Japan. Among his previous publications is
Ernst Troeltsch: Systematic Theologian of Radical Historicality, which appeared in the American Academy of Religion's Academy Series. His current research centers on Sebastian Franck and panentheism.
