The Politics of Heresy - by Lester Kurtz (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The Politics of Heresy: The Modernist Crisis in Roman Catholicism delves into the intricate and turbulent series of events that unfolded during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known as the modernist crisis within the Roman Catholic Church. This period saw a fierce clash between progressive scholars advocating for free inquiry and the Church's hierarchical authorities intent on preserving orthodoxy. Central to the book are the seismic debates over the relationship between religion and science, church and state, and Christianity and modern culture--issues that remain strikingly relevant today. The author explores how these tensions culminated in the Vatican's condemnation of modernism in 1907 and how the conflict set the stage for subsequent philosophical and theological controversies. By shedding light on this historical struggle, the book offers a compelling lens through which to examine broader themes of authority, tradition, and the pursuit of truth in the face of changing cultural paradigms.

This study also acknowledges its own limitations, shaped by the author's perspective as a scholar and cultural biases rooted in modernist and Protestant contexts. With a focus on critical inquiry, the book examines not only the contentions of modernist scholars but also the Church's rationale for their suppression, balancing an appreciation for both the preservation of tradition and the need for intellectual freedom. Highlighting the delicate interplay between science, religion, and their respective dogmatisms, the work underscores the enduring relevance of the modernist crisis as a reflection of ongoing struggles between innovation and orthodoxy. The Politics of Heresy is both a historical and reflective analysis, offering readers a nuanced understanding of a pivotal moment in Catholic history and its implications for contemporary debates on faith, knowledge, and cultural evolution.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1986.