John Locke: Writings on Religion - Reviews - Book Review

Contemporary Review, Sept, 2002

John Locke: Writings on Religion. Victor Nuovo, editor. Clarendon Press, Oxford. [pounds sterling]50.00. 290 pages. ISBN 0-19-924341-7. As the editor states in his substantial introduction, this collection gives scholars 'the first comprehensive collection' of Locke's writings, published and hitherto in manuscript form, on religious topics.

Locke's religious views are, Mr Nuovo claims, essential to a full understanding of his philosophy: 'If we are to understand Locke aright we must view all of his opinions within this frame'. His writings show how theology and religion converge into one over-reaching discipline which was the basis of life and thought. Locke's theology was 'an enlightened and universalistic version of the Christian religion'. Locke, the apostle of religious tolerance after the restoration of the Church and Crown in England, Scotland and Ireland, was in modern terms a liberal although in his own day he was denounced as a Socinian and heretic. The writings in this collection are arranged by top ic and within the topic, by chronology to show the development of thought. The seven topics are: morality and religion; controversial writings; inspiration, revelation, scripture and faith; the Church; the reasonableness of Christianity; and, finally, fall and redemption. As religion was 'one of the main determinants of his intellectual pursuits' this collection will be invaluable in righting a hitherto imbalance in Lockean studies.