AN INTRODUCTION TO HEGEL'S LECTURES ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION by Jon Stewart, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2022, pp.304, £75.00, hbk

In his impressive new volume, Jon Stewart sets out to introduce Hegel's Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion within broader context Enlightenment's criticism religion and philosophy. The book expounds reaction what he perceived as ubiquitous theology by subjectivity, embodied in thinkers such Rousseau, Jacobi, Schleiermacher. this context, according Stewart, Hegel sought defend Christianity against excesses Romanticism Enlightenment. five theses that demonstrate are: (1) That much agenda comes from Enlightenment (p. 19). tries therein restore dogmas with them content religion, abandoned (2) wished correct regarded mistaken form religious belief own day. combating Romantics addresses their tendency demote faith mere feeling 20). (3) historical account does not end birth (as appears Lectures), but rather includes development Christianity, thereby seeing Reformation a necessary Christianity. (4) A engagement old controversies about proper interpretation philosophy general disputes between left right Hegelians (1830s 1840s). (5) relevance regarding key issues today insight geared towards resolution 21). is divided into nine further subdivided chapters: three dealing Romanticism; doctrine, method, approach; additional questions, reception today. He also helpful bibliography indices names subjects. Although known primarily philosopher, had theological training was interested all life; therefore remarks ‘his cannot be separated views’ 2). attempted proposed ‘reaction elements’ well-known intellectual movements Romanticism. understanding shaped conditioned, argues tight Prussian censorship ‘demagogues’ (alleged) ‘atheists’ (such Fichte suffering ‘Atheismus Streit’) 13). Here accomplishes meticulously researched presentation circumstances larger which lived worked. Within perspective, i.e. defensor fidei, present views history Reformation, Islam, Deism, drawing material supporting it other works Hegel. evidently proposes most eminent while humbling Islam Deisim, for instance, ‘retrograde movements’ 15). Yet, ‘empty, indeterminate, unknown’ God Deism actually starting point frame posits ever-determining ‘spirit’ (p.29). It precisely giving an inner life movement unconsciousness self-consciousness saw response Deism. critique Bible addressed along Lessing's line, namely should pinned – text devised human beings intrinsically flawed ‘idea’. 58). Kant tackled argument philosopher's task make sense presence stories ideas divine 73), something considered lacking Kant's approach. core pervasive dualism thought being 74). ultimate analysis, idea remains abstract him ‘an impoverished sphere’ ‘poor truth’ 76). (which itself somewhat ‘natural continuation’ (p.79)) focused ‘intuition’ (Anschauung) ‘subjective feeling’, confronts rebuttal find firm footing ‘in highest faculty lowest’ 102). conception always recognize some external objective doctrine. successfully applies dialectical when defines only ‘merely subjective state belief’ or ‘credo, confession faith’ touch innermost self man, ‘unity both these meanings’ thus allocates sides faith. treatment elaborates closely tied ‘anthropology’ nature, characterized demand reconciliation, product alienation separation 155). presents pinnacle overcoming specifically person Christ. nutshell, death represents negation otherness: assuming ‘death’ himself, overcomes otherness there subsequently no ‘outside God, otherness’ can ‘hinder unity God’ 164). Along peculiar Christ's place history, utilizes Christian mystery Trinity order answer exaggerations contemporaries ‘restore Christianity’. bespeaks static ‘dynamic process development’ 170). For Hegel, Protestant plays role due its insistence freedom ‘individual conscience’ 175). corruption Church purportedly ‘anomaly’ ‘fundamental endemic system’ (of Church). fundamentally Divine, Deity ‘sensual’ 176). This error exemplified ‘slavish deference authority’, ‘childish miracles’, ‘lust power’, ‘riotous debauchery’, ‘hypocrisy’, ‘deception’. culminates unambiguous praise Luther 180). Thus one central features attack philosophical currents, underlines, goal ‘rescue Christianity’ (p.229). As welcome addition, brings conversation writers like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, even unlikely Neil deGrasse Tyson modern representatives After pointing time-related shortcomings (the insensitivity language, etc.) writings, ‘modern’ tolerant pluralist, fact (unlike Schelling Fichte) dealt enormous Asian Islamic culture, because method resembles Comparative Theology, allows fresh look at religion. Stewart's books well-researched, well-crafted, lucid, structured manual those wanting acquaint themselves informed competent reads gracefully packed brim citations points context. Some questions however, surrounding main thesis, remain unanswered. instance: What understand if concept historically determined Protestantism? ontological entanglement evil godhead (according stems knowledge (Erkenntnis), Genesis story Fall Adam Eve), studied von Stockhausen Mancuso? Furthermore, proverbial elephant room unaddressed: structural closeness Gnosticism. monumental studies O'Regan are featured topic unaddressed. Magee, O'Regan, Rossbach, Voegelin shed light darker ‘secret’ would complete reader's position, yet extensive research here uncommented. Looking without (J. Böhme) vicinity Gnostic speculation, leaves blurred spots unexplained. ‘dissolved’ sources While thorough boon book, terms inspiration environment, times reader tempted think merely reacting contemporaries, creativity insight, opinion hardly defensible figure. All all, volume solid introduction will doubtlessly well-received years decades come.