Desperately Wicked: Philosophy, Christianity and the Human Heart [Paperback]

Patrick Downey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 2009

What is the human heart like? Theologians and philosophers have attempted to address this question, not just in the abstract, but concretely in personal, as well as social and political, dimensions. Patrick Downey explores the biblical writings of Genesis and the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah, the Greek tragedies, Plato, Aristotle, and political philosophers--such as Rousseau, Hobbes, Nietzsche and René Girard--to seek answers to this profound question. Recognizing our resistance to know the truth about our own hearts, Downey calls his readers to join with these thinkers in the search for truth and serious self-reflection. Not for the faint of heart, this book courageously addresses the most foundational question of our existence as individuals in community. What is the nature of the human heart and can we, will we, know it?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"With great literary agility Patrick Downey masterfully explicates the meaning of the prophet's words: 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: Who can know it?' (Jer 17:9). Beginning with Plato's ring of Gyges and incorporating threads as diverse as Plato and Aristotle's political philosophy, the Greek tragedies of Sophocles and Aeschylus, and the entire biblical narrative, Downey weaves an intricate tapestry exposing the intractable conflict between our desires to have, to be seen and to know, causing us to cry out with the apostle Paul, 'Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from this body of death?' Downey brilliantly argues that it is only through the miracle of the incarnation, death and resurrection of the God-man, Jesus, that we can be rescued from our desperately wicked heart. I challenge you to read this book and not be profoundly changed by it." (Mark W. Foreman, associate professor of philosophy and religion, Liberty University )

"A gifted teacher, widely read in ancient and modern texts, Patrick Downey's book Desperately Wicked will open the minds and hearts of teachers and students to the central questions in the conversation between Jerusalem and Athens, questions that enable us not only to reclaim our intellectual heritage but also to ponder who we are and how we ought to live." (Thomas Hibbs, dean of the Honors College, Baylor University )

"It is not easy to characterize this stunning and mesmerizing work. Is it a lens into the darkness of Greek tragedy? A window into the daybreak of classical philosophy? A glimpse into the light of sacred Scripture? It is all of the above, but more than anything else it is a performative path to self-knowledge. Desperately Wicked is an ideal introduction for students to the power of philosophy and theology as well as an exhilarating refresher for seasoned scholars." (Michael P. Foley, associate professor of patristics, Great Texts Program, Baylor University )

"This is a fine piece of work, one that makes a unique contribution to Christian philosophical reflection. Professor Downey offers an account of the Christian view of life and meaning that has practical implications for politics and what it means to be a follower of Christ in a fallen world. It is one of the best articulations of Christian political philosophy that I have read in quite some time." (Francis J. Beckwith, associate professor of philosophy & church-state studies, Baylor University )

Review

"It is not easy to characterize this stunning and mesmerizing work. Is it a lens into the darkness of Greek tragedy? A window into the daybreak of classical philosophy? A glimpse into the light of sacred Scripture? It is all of the above, but more than anything else it is a performative path to self-knowledge. Desperately Wicked is an ideal introduction for students to the power of philosophy and theology as well as an exhilarating refresher for seasoned scholars."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (February 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083082894X
• ISBN-13: 978-0830828944
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,083,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can we be good?, May 14, 2009

By 

Michael Dalton (Eureka, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Desperately Wicked: Philosophy, Christianity and the Human Heart (Paperback)

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

Patrick Downey begins with Jeremiah's claim to lead his readers on a journey that lays bare the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Various readings, political philosophy, Greek tragedy and the Bible serve to show what the heart wants, what it fears and why it lies.

The author believes that "the desire to possess and the desire to be seen are what led us astray in the first place. To find our way back, we must pursue the desire to know, both ourselves and our true good." Our deceit is in how we see ourselves.

I realized this in just reading the book. I don't doubt Jeremiah's words, and I can say with the Psalmist David, "My sin is ever before me." Yet, as I read Downey's thoughts on our desire to possess, which he shows is more than merely being materialistic, I saw how deceived I have been about keeping to myself. It's so far from that New Testament example of a young group of believers, who were "together and had all things in common."

The author goes on to write about our desire to have good rather than to be good. Though many of us want to be good, Downey writes, "Most of us mean that we want to have the feelings that go along with being good."

Downey's ability to make us see our true selves make this a searching and illuminating book. Along with a Bible, it will make a fine companion for spiritual inventory.

It is not, however, an easy read. Some passages, especially the more philosophical ones, I had to read several times to try and understand what was being said. Readings from various sources are set apart in block format and are designed to supplement the text. Downey could have done better in tying this material to the topic under discussion. Most of the time it's up to the reader to discern the correlation. Academics and those schooled in philosophy will have an easier time digesting the material, but anyone willing to make the effort will at least find parts of this rewarding.

One of those moments for me was when the author compares the "Romantic" Fall with the biblical Fall. The former is made to sound like the latter but is designed to replace it. The Fall of Romanticism looks back to a time when "we lived in a garden of delights as free, innocent and solitary animals, one with nature, and no self-consciousness." Can you see where this is going? "According to this Romantic telling, if there is to be any escape from the alienating ravages of this knowledge, it must come through the poetic return to nature we find in word or song or utopian politics (cf. John Lennon's song `Imagine')."

It's back to the garden and a return to simplicity. As much as I value the arts and self-expression, I can see the subtle error of embracing these things as a universal panacea. They have their place, but the human heart needs much more than something that can only produce superficial change. The loftiest sentiments, the most honorable philosophies and the greatest refinements are no substitute for the bloody sacrifice required to truly change our hearts.

Can we be good? It's not possible on our own. Downey points to what we need for that to happen. Christ's resurrection is the answer to our need for change. Our only hope in becoming good is being able to share in Christ's new life.

The practical applications of this our covered in the last chapter, which examines how we can be good in relation to others. This includes an interesting look at politics and war.

Though this book deals with the subtle nature of our depravity, it is not morbid or overly introspective. Instead of leaving a feeling of heaviness, it can serve as a hopeful guide to exploring the meaning of Jeremiah's words.