Faust the Theologian (Hardcover)

~ Professor Jaroslav Pelikan (Author) "AT LEAST FOUR MONUMENTAL DRAMAS in the spiritual and literary history of the West are situated in the framework of the days of Holy Week:..." (more)
Key Phrases: poetic polytheism, poetic artist, eventual salvation, Classical Walpurgis Night, Earth Spirit, Helen of Troy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this erudite and beautifully written book, an eminent scholar meditates on the theological implications of Goethe`s Faust. Jaroslav Pelikan considers Goethe`s statement that he was a pantheist when it came to science, a polytheist in art, and a monotheist in ethics, and he uses it for the first time to analyze Faust`s development as a theologian-thereby enabling us to see Goethe`s masterpiece in a surprising new light.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (April 26, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300062885
• ISBN-13: 978-0300062885
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,220,625 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FASCINATING AND ORIGINAL, May 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Faust the Theologian (Paperback)

This book is a beautifully written masterpiece, detailing the theological implications of Goethe's Faust. The book offers reflections on Goethe's statement that he was a pantheist when it came to science, a polytheist in art and a monotheist in ethics. For the first time, the author uses this statement in the analysis of Faust's development as a theologian, showing this masterpiece in a surprising and totally original way. The analysis begins with a discussion on Faust's role as a natural scientist or pantheist. Faust's mistrust of traditional knowledge is examined and his interests in geology, oceanography and optics are considered. The analysis also includes his perception of nature as a realm inspirited throughout by a single, unifying Power. After the analysis in concluded, the author follows Faust on his journeys to the two Walpurgis Nights. It is here that Faust delights in the polytheistic extravaganzas of Germanic and most especially Greek mythology. In conclusion, the author describes the operatic finale of the book, when Faust's spirit in drawn upward to salvation by the Eternal Feminine. This event marks Faust's evolution into moral philosopher and monotheist. This analysis reveals thematic unities and a dialectical development of Faust's characters that has gone unnoticed until now.

4 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars a disaster, August 5, 2001

By	woodrow locksley "tdlockwood" (lINCOLN NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faust the Theologian (Paperback)

I cannot understand the praise for this book.Pelikan's comments on Faust are facile and often wrongheaded and his theological commentary is superficial and pseudo intellectual.Even worse he writes in a turgid style that can serve as a potent sedative for those who have trouble sleeping. A major disappointment and a disaster from a scholr whose works I usually admire.