So the final installment of the most important non-fiction books. I believe these are definitely important and the number one books are worth reading.
2. Two Treaties of Government, John Locke, 1689. The writings of Locke are vital to the history of government and to the creation of the U.S. Great thinkers who could have made this list, Rousseau and Jefferson, will base many of their own ideas on those of Locke’s. Not all of Locke’s important ideas come from the Treaties of Government, but I will include them as if they did. Locke’s theories start at the same place all political philosophers do, the State of Nature (made famous by Thomas Hobbs). In the beginning humans lived in the state of nature, which was the cruel world without rules or law. This world was dominated by shear force, meaning the strongest ruled. Men decided that they were not happy with their current position, where life tended to be short and violent. So for protection they decided to create government. The idea was that citizens made a contract with the government. Citizens gave up some freedom (agreeing to follow the law and not do what ever they pleased) in exchange for government to protect their God given rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Land. In other words, kings rule by the consent of the People and not by divine right from God as was accepted at the time. This became known as the Contract Theory of Government. Locke went on to say that if Government broke their side of the contract that the citizens were not obligated to keep their side.
In 1776 when the British colonists in America were having issues with King George, they were using the theories of Locke, governors govern by the concent of the people, to make their arguments. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independece, he based it on Locke, and was even critized by John Adams for plagerism. Jefferson’s most famous line is very close to Locke, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. What Jefferson was doing in his Declaration was first telling the King the Coloinsts would not recognize his authority, but even more important he was trying to convince the Colonists that what they were about to do (revolution) was justifiable. The Declaration of Indepence is a list of grievances against the King, Parliament, and the British people in an effort to show how George III had broken the contract and hence the colonists not only had the moral right but an obligation to withstand the King.
Without Locke, there is not Declaration of Independence, no Constitution, no Declaration of the Rights of Man (French Revolution). His ideas were not meant to bring down monarchs, but others interpertations of Locke’s writing did exactly that.
1. Books of Faith. I could have filled up the entire list with books of faith, so instead I will put them all together. I am including the Bible, Koran, Torah, and Book of Mormon. Books of faith that have greatly effect the western world, and in some ways are the very foundation of the western world. These books are number one because more good and evil in the world have cited these as their influence, more than any other printed words.
The Bible still today is the most purchased book in history. Yet, for all the good the Bible has done, it has also been used to justify evil. The problem with the Bible is that it can be interpreted in so many different ways, hence dozens of different denominations all claim the Bible as their inspiration. Up through the 16th Century the Catholic Church during the Inquisition used the Bible as justification for torture and murder of anyone deemed heretics. The conquering of non-Christians, from Arabs in the Jerusalem to Indians in the new world, was always done first in the name of God. American slavery needed no further evidence past the Bible to show God ordained the practice. Paul told his followers that servants should obey their masters. The descendents of Able were cursed with dark skin and anyone who married into that seed was cursed as well, like Noah’s son. Lastly Jesus never once in all his sermons ever said slavery was wrong. With all of God's wisdom, if he disagreed with slavery, he would have made it known, right?
The Bible is not the only book of faith that has been used to justify evil. Today our greatest threat comes from followers of the Koran. Islamic Terrorists claim they are following the will of God when they committee violent acts, something unfortunately we are too familiar with . Also today most of the west today also sees the Koran as a means for the oppression of women (topic for another blog but I do not completely agree).
Interestingly of the three major religious texts, I can not recollect any major act of violence committee in the modern era with the Torah as the inspiration. Of course the Torah (first five books of the Old Testimony) are full of conquering people in the name of God, and David and Solomon did their share of fighting, but since the Torah the Jews are usually the victims and not the aggressors. Until recently, Jews have not been concentrated in one place like Christians or Muslims and have had little power politically, so have done little damage. If you view Israel today from the Palestinian perspective, then the Jews are an aggressive people, but much of Zionism was secular as much as it was religious.
The negative aspects of these books of faith are powerful enough to place them at number one on the list, yet it is important to look at their positive side, for it is here that their real power is shown. At their core, all religions teach love: love for God, love for mankind, love for self. The problem with the positive aspects is that they are harder to measure, most do not make the history books. The real power of books of faith come in quite personal moments. Yes there are Mother Theresas who are famous for their faith in the Bible, but for every saint there are countless numbers living their quiet lives and experiencing small miracles. Much of the good in the world, from small acts of charity to taking a trip to Louisiana after a hurricane to help clean up, are done so from being inspired by these books or the religions that teach from them. Many books have been listed on my blog the last couple of months, but none of them matter without these. Depending on which religion you choose, this is where the truth is found, the rest of the books are just appendages.
One other book of faith that I believe needs mentioning is the Book of Mormon. From a completely historical aspect it has not had as much impact on the world as the other three, yet I would argue that any scholar making such a list should include it in their top ten. Its impact on America is undeniable, whether seen as good or bad is up to the person, but Mormonism has helped shape this nation. It today is the most successful religion to have its beginnings in America. It is a product of events that changed America in the 1830s and 1840s and much of the story of the American West must involve Mormons: Sutters Mill, San Diego, Mexican War, and Civil War. Today it is a world wide religion with now over 13 million members. Spiritually it is even more important. In the words of Joseph Smith, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on the earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than other book.” [quote from the Introduction to the book of Mormon]
I believe all ten books are very important, and in some part have shaped the world. There were others in hindsight that I could have added in place of a few at the top. I would love to hear what others think, I believe that is what makes a list fun, the discussion. I have one other favor to ask of anyone who reads this blog, I need suggestions for future lists. I enjoy making these but am quickly running out of ideas. So do not be bashful if you are a lurker, or are friends with my sister and are just peaking, throw out a topic.
2. Two Treaties of Government, John Locke, 1689. The writings of Locke are vital to the history of government and to the creation of the U.S. Great thinkers who could have made this list, Rousseau and Jefferson, will base many of their own ideas on those of Locke’s. Not all of Locke’s important ideas come from the Treaties of Government, but I will include them as if they did. Locke’s theories start at the same place all political philosophers do, the State of Nature (made famous by Thomas Hobbs). In the beginning humans lived in the state of nature, which was the cruel world without rules or law. This world was dominated by shear force, meaning the strongest ruled. Men decided that they were not happy with their current position, where life tended to be short and violent. So for protection they decided to create government. The idea was that citizens made a contract with the government. Citizens gave up some freedom (agreeing to follow the law and not do what ever they pleased) in exchange for government to protect their God given rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Land. In other words, kings rule by the consent of the People and not by divine right from God as was accepted at the time. This became known as the Contract Theory of Government. Locke went on to say that if Government broke their side of the contract that the citizens were not obligated to keep their side.
In 1776 when the British colonists in America were having issues with King George, they were using the theories of Locke, governors govern by the concent of the people, to make their arguments. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independece, he based it on Locke, and was even critized by John Adams for plagerism. Jefferson’s most famous line is very close to Locke, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. What Jefferson was doing in his Declaration was first telling the King the Coloinsts would not recognize his authority, but even more important he was trying to convince the Colonists that what they were about to do (revolution) was justifiable. The Declaration of Indepence is a list of grievances against the King, Parliament, and the British people in an effort to show how George III had broken the contract and hence the colonists not only had the moral right but an obligation to withstand the King.
Without Locke, there is not Declaration of Independence, no Constitution, no Declaration of the Rights of Man (French Revolution). His ideas were not meant to bring down monarchs, but others interpertations of Locke’s writing did exactly that.
1. Books of Faith. I could have filled up the entire list with books of faith, so instead I will put them all together. I am including the Bible, Koran, Torah, and Book of Mormon. Books of faith that have greatly effect the western world, and in some ways are the very foundation of the western world. These books are number one because more good and evil in the world have cited these as their influence, more than any other printed words.
The Bible still today is the most purchased book in history. Yet, for all the good the Bible has done, it has also been used to justify evil. The problem with the Bible is that it can be interpreted in so many different ways, hence dozens of different denominations all claim the Bible as their inspiration. Up through the 16th Century the Catholic Church during the Inquisition used the Bible as justification for torture and murder of anyone deemed heretics. The conquering of non-Christians, from Arabs in the Jerusalem to Indians in the new world, was always done first in the name of God. American slavery needed no further evidence past the Bible to show God ordained the practice. Paul told his followers that servants should obey their masters. The descendents of Able were cursed with dark skin and anyone who married into that seed was cursed as well, like Noah’s son. Lastly Jesus never once in all his sermons ever said slavery was wrong. With all of God's wisdom, if he disagreed with slavery, he would have made it known, right?
The Bible is not the only book of faith that has been used to justify evil. Today our greatest threat comes from followers of the Koran. Islamic Terrorists claim they are following the will of God when they committee violent acts, something unfortunately we are too familiar with . Also today most of the west today also sees the Koran as a means for the oppression of women (topic for another blog but I do not completely agree).
Interestingly of the three major religious texts, I can not recollect any major act of violence committee in the modern era with the Torah as the inspiration. Of course the Torah (first five books of the Old Testimony) are full of conquering people in the name of God, and David and Solomon did their share of fighting, but since the Torah the Jews are usually the victims and not the aggressors. Until recently, Jews have not been concentrated in one place like Christians or Muslims and have had little power politically, so have done little damage. If you view Israel today from the Palestinian perspective, then the Jews are an aggressive people, but much of Zionism was secular as much as it was religious.
The negative aspects of these books of faith are powerful enough to place them at number one on the list, yet it is important to look at their positive side, for it is here that their real power is shown. At their core, all religions teach love: love for God, love for mankind, love for self. The problem with the positive aspects is that they are harder to measure, most do not make the history books. The real power of books of faith come in quite personal moments. Yes there are Mother Theresas who are famous for their faith in the Bible, but for every saint there are countless numbers living their quiet lives and experiencing small miracles. Much of the good in the world, from small acts of charity to taking a trip to Louisiana after a hurricane to help clean up, are done so from being inspired by these books or the religions that teach from them. Many books have been listed on my blog the last couple of months, but none of them matter without these. Depending on which religion you choose, this is where the truth is found, the rest of the books are just appendages.
One other book of faith that I believe needs mentioning is the Book of Mormon. From a completely historical aspect it has not had as much impact on the world as the other three, yet I would argue that any scholar making such a list should include it in their top ten. Its impact on America is undeniable, whether seen as good or bad is up to the person, but Mormonism has helped shape this nation. It today is the most successful religion to have its beginnings in America. It is a product of events that changed America in the 1830s and 1840s and much of the story of the American West must involve Mormons: Sutters Mill, San Diego, Mexican War, and Civil War. Today it is a world wide religion with now over 13 million members. Spiritually it is even more important. In the words of Joseph Smith, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on the earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than other book.” [quote from the Introduction to the book of Mormon]
I believe all ten books are very important, and in some part have shaped the world. There were others in hindsight that I could have added in place of a few at the top. I would love to hear what others think, I believe that is what makes a list fun, the discussion. I have one other favor to ask of anyone who reads this blog, I need suggestions for future lists. I enjoy making these but am quickly running out of ideas. So do not be bashful if you are a lurker, or are friends with my sister and are just peaking, throw out a topic.
6 comments:
top ten reasons why your wife is amazing.
I have been working on that for some time, the trouble is I cannot narrow it down to 10.
James
I think I am entitled to a gold star for accurately predicting 2 to be a liberal enlightenment thinker (I think I suggested Locke). I called the Bible at number 1, but that as well as other sacred texts were probably a gimme at that spot.
I think you cop out a little bit in your universalist leanings by not just picking the Old and New Testament. I don't think the others are in the same neighborhood yet in terms of influence, though the Koran is closing in. Still, it is the Protestant reformation that paved the way, essentially, for liberalism (little "l") to dominate the governance and culture of western society.
The Koran and the BOM are actually an interesting pairing in that they are both ascending in influence but don't necessarily point the reader to little l liberalism at all. It will be interesting to see in another 100 years, not that we will be here.
I do agree completely with Matt. The Bible is hands down the most influential. It is a shame that it is not taught in schools anymore, not as a religious text, but with so much culture, lit, and society based on it, without any knowledge of the Bible the younger generations will be lost. And yes Matt, you do get a gold star.
Top 10 things you wished every high school student read/learned before entering college. You have such a broad knowledge base, it is hard to narrow it down...
Robyn I like it, I will put some thought into it. thanks
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