This book originated in the Donatio Universitatis Carolinae award and research support that Professor Petr Pokorný received in 2017. It was envisioned, designed, and originally conducted as a project exploring the biblical roots of Christian culture. Experts in various theological and philosophical disciplines, both from the Czech Republic and abroad, were to probe this topic from their particular perspectives. The hoped-for output was to be a coherent collective study of the proposed topic. However, due to the unexpected passing away of Prof. Pokorný in early 2020, the project could not be executed according to the original plan. Rather than a collective monograph, therefore, the present book is a collection of essays that investigate various aspects of the Bible and Christianity in their relation to culture as a broad human phenomenon. The book is divided into two sections. While the first section focuses on particular issues in the Bible, the second addresses historical, philosophical, and cultural developments. As Petr Pokorný was actively and importantly involved in the initial stages of the project, two essays are written by him personally. The whole book, then, is dedicated in his honor.
Petr Pokorný Book order






- 2023
- 2013
From the Gospel to the Gospels
- 237 pages
- 9 hours of reading
The monograph discusses the short formulae of the 'gospel' (euangelion) as the first reflected expressions of Christian faith. They adapted the apocalyptic expectations to express the Easter experience and shaped the earliest literary Gospel (Ma
- 2011
Hermeneutics as a Theory of Understanding
- 226 pages
- 8 hours of reading
Focusing on the philosophical and theological foundations of understanding, this primer explores hermeneutics and its societal and historical significance. Rather than presenting new methodologies, it emphasizes the interrelations and functions of various interpretative projects, particularly concerning ancient texts like the Bible. Petr Pokorný's work serves as both an educational resource for students and a scholarly monograph, offering fresh perspectives in hermeneutical discourse.
- 2002
Philosophical hermeneutics and biblical exegesis
- 392 pages
- 14 hours of reading
The authors of these English and German essays focus on the analysis of the hermeneutical process, which is what occurs when texts are interpreted successfully. They are based on talks given at a symposium on 'Philosophical Hermeneutics' held at the Center for Biblical Studies in Prague in November 2001. In addition to an introductory essay by Paul Ricoeur about the basic problems of philosophical hermeneutics, the volume contains contributions from prominent researchers from all religious denominations on the subjects of philosophical hermeneutics, exegesis, and theology.