Abstract
An analysis of Voltaire's references to, attacks on, and - occasionally - positive responses to the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. I show that Voltaire had considerable knowledge of contemporary biblical scholarship, though at second hand. I review those aspects of the Bible he found most offensive, but also draw attention to passages that moved him. The resulting synthesis is less clear-cut than might have been thought, as - in some ways - Voltaire prefigures the more sophisticated biblical criticism of the nineteenth century.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | The Cambridge Companion to Voltaire |
Editors | Nicholas Cronk |
Place of Publication | Cambridge |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 193-204 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-0-521-84973-9 and 978-0-521-61495-5 |
Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 2009 |
Keywords
- Voltaire
- Bible
- biblical criticism