Explores how the concept of person developed from both non-Christian and Christian sources and the ensuing impact of post-Christian culture. This book considers whether we have rights as persons, whether we 'matter', and how we have reached a position where we are not sure whether we do.
The book presents a dynamic perspective on truth, emphasizing its evolution and the importance of integrating all positive elements into this understanding. It explores how truth can be a living concept, shaped by ongoing developments and insights, rather than a fixed idea. Rist invites readers to consider the implications of this evolving truth on their lives and society, encouraging a holistic approach to knowledge and morality.
The book presents a compelling argument that the Gospels of Mark and Matthew developed independently from each other, drawing instead from a shared oral tradition. It explores the nuances of their narratives and how distinct theological perspectives emerged despite their common roots. This analysis delves into the implications of these findings for understanding the early Christian community and the formation of the Gospels, challenging traditional views on their relationship and the nature of biblical authorship.
The book provides a comprehensive exploration of Augustine's philosophical ideas, examining their character and impact on theology and Western thought. It delves into his key concepts, illustrating how they shaped religious and philosophical discourse. Through a meticulous analysis, the author highlights Augustine's influence on subsequent thinkers and the lasting effects of his ideas on contemporary issues. This account serves as both an introduction to Augustine's thought and a critical assessment of its significance in history.
Rist explores how and why Augustine's moral framework became distorted with time and proposes a return to a revitalized version of his thought.
The Reading Augustine series presents concise, personal readings of St. Augustine of Hippo from leading philosophers and religious scholars. John Rist takes the reader through Augustine's ethics, the arguments he made and how he arrived at them, and shows how this moral philosophy remains vital for us today. Rist identifies Augustine's challenge to all ideas of moral autonomy, concentrating especially on his understanding of humility as an honest appraisal of our moral state. He looks at thinkers who accept parts of Augustine's evaluation of the human condition but lapse into bleakness and pessimism since for them God has disappeared. In the concluding parts of the book, Rist suggests how a developed version of Augustine's original vision can be applied to the complexities of modern life while also laying out, on the other hand, what our moral universe would look like without Augustine's contribution to it.
The doctrinal and structural revolution currently underway in the Roman Catholic Church is alarming for several reasons, not least because of the arbitrary nature of its imposition and the absence of resistance it has encountered. The reluctance of many to challenge the authority of the pope, tied to the increasing personal veneration by the faithful of each successive incumbent of the Holy See, is arguably a symptom of unresolved unclarity surrounding the nature of authority in the Church dating back to the First Vatican Council. In Infallibility, Integrity and Obedience, John Rist unflinchingly exposes the developments that have bred this crisis of understanding - and the resulting rejection of tradition in the papal agenda - over the past hundred and fifty years. Reserving particular attention for the Roman Catholic dilemmas, political and theological, of the 1930s, the mid-twentieth-century debates on reproductive technology, and the advent of ‘celebrity autocracy’, he shows how a misapprehension of the nature and definition of papal infallibility is at the root of the major issues facing the Church today. Most importantly, he proposes how the conciliar and individual decisions that have led to the current situation might be reversed, and how the proper role of the Pope can be reclaimed for the good of the Church.
Exploring various dialogues by Plato, John M. Rist illustrates the philosopher's evolving understanding of the relationship between ethics and metaphysics. Rist argues that Plato recognized the necessity of a robust metaphysical framework to underpin his ethical theories, ultimately linking universal values to a comprehensive ethical stance. This examination reveals the depth of Plato's thought and the development of his philosophical ideas over time.
Aims to expose the underlying confusion in most Western political and moral discourse. The book explains how what we call the 'Original Tradition' in Western thought has been replaced by a variety of alternative theories which are usually in unrecognized conflict with one another.
The book presents a compelling argument for an ethical theory rooted in a modern interpretation of Platonic realism. It explores the philosophical foundations of morality, emphasizing the importance of objective truths in ethical reasoning. Through rigorous analysis, the author seeks to demonstrate how this revised approach can provide a robust framework for understanding moral values and principles in contemporary society.