Full Description
In this first translation of Sylvain Maréchal's Bible commentary, Sheila Delany offers an important document in the history of modern European secularization and rationalist Bible criticism. Editor of one of France's best-known radical journals, Révolutions de Paris, and author in many genres—drama, poetry, journalism, treatise—Maréchal (1750-1803) embraced the revolutionary egalitarian ideas of François-Noél "Gracchus" Babeuf. As an atheist, he witnessed with dismay the advent of Napoleon and the post-revolutionary return of Catholic fervor. For and Against the Bible was his protest, his reminder of what the nation had endured and of what, at the opening of the nineteenth century, it might still accomplish. Delany's introduction and annotated English translation will be of importance to all interested in Jewish or Christian Bible studies, history of Bible criticism, eighteenth century European rationalism, French atheism, modern European secularism.
Contents
Preface XI
Acknowledgments XII
Translator's Note XIII
Introduction
For and Against the Bible
Epistle to Ministers of All Religions
Post-script
Addendum
Part 1: Jewish Scripture
Nature is a Book Superior to the Bible.
The Old Testament
I Genesis: First Book of the Pentateuch of Moses
II Exodus
III Leviticus
IV Numbers
V Deuteronomy
VI Joshua, or Jesus the Liberator
VII Judges
VIII Ruth
IX The First Book of Kingdoms, or Kings: First Book of Samuel
X The Second Book of Kingdoms or Kings: Book 2 of Samuel
XI Kings: Book III
XII Kings, Book IV
XIII Paralipomenon: Book I , Chronicles
XIV Paralipomenon: Chronicles, Book II
XV Ezra: First Book
XVI Nehemiah: Book II of Ezra
XVII Tobias
XVIII Judith
XIX Esther
XX Job
XXI The Psalms of David
XXII Proverbs, or the Wisdom of Solomon
XXIII The Parables of Solomon
XXIV Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher
XXV The Song of Songs or the Song Par Excellence of Solomon
XXVI Wisdom
XXVII The Ecclesiasticus of Jesus, Son of Sirach
XXVIII Isaiah
XXIX Jeremiah
XXX Lamentations of Jeremiah
XXXI Baruch
XXXII Ezekiel
XXXIII Daniel
XXXIV Hosea
XXXV Joel
XXXVI Amos
XXXVII Obadiah
X XXVIII Jonah
XXXIX Micah
XL Nahum
XLI Habakkuk
XLII Sophonius
XLIII Haggai
XLIV Zachary
XLV Malachi
N.B. Extract from the Catechism of Curé Meslier
XLVI Maccabees, or the Murderers: Book I
XLVII Maccabees, or the Murderers: Book II
N.B. Extract from the Catechism of Curé Meslier
Part 2: Christian Scripture
The New Testament
I The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Saint Matthew
II Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, According to Saint Mark
III The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, According to Saint Luke
IV Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, According to Saint John
V Acts of the Apostles
VI Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans
VII First Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
VIII Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
IX Epistle of Saint Paul to the Galatians
X Epistle of S. Paul to the Ephesians
XI Epistle of S. Paul to the Philippians
XII Epistle of Saint Paul to the Colossians
XIII First Epistle of S. Paul to the Thessalonians
XIV Second Epistle from the Same to the Same
XV First Epistle of S. Paul to Timothy
XVI Second Epistle of S. Paul to Timothy
XVII Epistle of S. Paul to Titus
XVIII Epistle of S. Paul to Philemon
XIX Epistle of S. Paul to the Hebrews
XX Epistle of S. Paul to Seneca the Philosopher
XXI The Catholic Letter of S. James the Minor and the Just
XXII The Two Catholic Epistles of Saint Peter
XXIII The Three Catholic Epistles of Saint John
XXIV Catholic Epistle of S. Jude, Called the Zealous
XXV The Apocalypse of S. John
XXVI Prayer of Manasses, King of Judah
XXVII Epistles of the Virgin Mary
XXVIII Testament of the Holy Virgin
N.B. Extract from the Catechism of the Curé Meslier
XXIX Collection of Ancient Gospels or Monuments of the 1st Century of Christianity, Taken from Fabricius, Grabius and Other Scholars; by Father B****, London, 1769, 284 Pages
Part 3: Result of Reading the Bible
Result of Reading the Bible
Post-script
Bibliography
Index
