The tenth or eleventh century group of the Brethren of Purity (Ikhwan al Safa) are as well known in the Arab world as Darwin; Marx and Freud in the west. Designed as an introduction to their ideas; this book concentrates on the Brethren's writings; analyzing the impact on them of thinkers such as Pythagoras; Plato; Aristotle and the Neoplatonists. Ian Netton traces the influences of Judaism and Christianity; and controversially this book argues that the Brethren of Purity did not belong to the Ismaili branch of Islam as is generally believed.
#110832 in Books 2014-08-15 2014-07-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x .70 x 6.10l; .0 #File Name: 0700620214312 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Extensive research on an important topicBy Stephan SchellExtensively researched methodical treatment of the Founders' religious beliefs; I think this is a must-read book for anyone interested in our country's founding and the contentious question of "was this country founded as a (Judeo-)Christian nation?" To the extent that the Constitution answers that question; the book lays out a strong case for the answer being "no". However; the book falls a bit short in 2 areas: (1) due probably to the sheer number of quotations of the Founders' own words included in the book and consequent space limitations; the author frequently includes only snippets and does not always summarize the larger context surrounding each quotation; and this in turn leaves the reader with a less-than-airtight conclusion (or worse; a potentially wrong conclusion); and (2) although the top-level structure of the book is solid; each individual chapter would have benefitted from more structure such as subsections -- as it is; some of the sections are rather long and meander through enough different ideas that the reader becomes unmoored. Sometimes I wondered if the author was becoming unmoored; too; since he seems to frequently repeat the conclusion that so-and-so was a theistic rationalist. But the topic is sufficiently important; and the research sufficiently extensive; that I think the book merits the 4 stars in spite of these shortcomings.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. ... has shown what real scholarship in this subject looks like. He has restored the Christian historian through a ...By Steve hamFrazer has shown what real scholarship in this subject looks like. He has restored the Christian historian through a resolute acceptance of the words of the very men he has studied. In a time when there are major faults on both sides of this debate; Dr Frazer has shown that the diversity of beliefs at America's founding can only be ascertained by assessing the philosophical climate of the time; the words that the founders wrote to each other; and by defining the terms according to the original author's intent. This book is an important book for every Christian who desires to have a healthy balanced perspective about America as they witness the good news of Jesus Christ. Anyone who has ever used the words "Christian" and "America" in the same sentence should read this book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent investigation of what our founders really believedBy Debbie R.Excellent investigation of what our founders really believed; as described in their own; personal; writings. I am a home educator and have been told for years about the Christian founding of America. This book has revealed the truth of how our founders were 'religious' but not specifically evangelically Christian; not committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Very interesting read and thoroughly footnoted.
