Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In this first translation of Sylvain Mar chal's Bible commentary, Sheila Delany
offers an important document in the history of modern European secularization
and rationalist Bible criticism. Editor of one of France's best-known radical
journals, R volutions de Paris, and author in many genres-drama, poetry,
journalism, treatise-Mar chal (1750-1803) embraced the revolutionary
egalitarian ideas of Fran ois-No l "Gracchus" Babeuf. As an atheist, he
witnessed with dismay the advent of Napoleon and the post-revolutionary
return of Catholic fervor. For and Against the Bible was his protest, his reminder
of what the nation had endured and of what, at the opening of the nineteenth
century, it might still accomplish. Delany's introduction and annotated English
translation will be of importance to all interested in Jewish or Christian Bible
studies, history of Bible criticism, eighteenth century European rationalism,
French atheism, modern European secularism.
Synopsis
The first ever translation of the famed French Revolutionary Sylvain Mar chal's biblical commentary provides invaluable insight into the origins of secularism.An extraordinary book of radical Bible commentary for specialists that will also appeal to philosophical atheists looking to understand eighteenth century European rationalism in its most radical forms.