Overview

David Hume (1711-1776) swam in the eighteenth-century philosophic waters created and dominated by Scottish Presbyterian thought and politics. Robert Case argues that this reformed environment is expressed, however inchoately, in much of what Hume wrote. Hume's eighteenth-century views on experience, customs, and common life provide a viable social and political framework for American contemporary life. If the New Testament writer Jude marinated his theological thoughts in the midst of the prevailing Jewish culture of his day in order to arrive at the inspired narrative of his little book, and if the American founding fathers can be said to establish a ""Christian"" nation, however that is defined, David Hume can be said to have been greatly influenced by the Scottish political and theological pieties of John Knox (1513-1572), Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661) and their successors. Into our post-Christian culture, David Hume's notion of the power of custom offers a non-religious-based society as an alternative for securing stable, secure, and satisfying social relationships and structures in which Christianity can flourish. Robert Case's principal objective is to show how Hume's ambassadorial task of straddling the world of the academy and the world of the main street is relevant for today's American post-Christian evangelical mindset.

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9781666706406

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Reviews

"""Case argues convincingly that Hume's writings have a unity, coherence, and systematicness of which few scholars are aware. Case's account is novel, but the scholarly documentation that he provides for it is rich and persuasive."" --Peter M. Burkholder, (deceased) Central Washington University ""Conservative Christians in this post-Christian age are in a crisis of cultural exile. Case directs us to eighteenth-century religious skeptic David Hume for terms of peace between the city of God and the city of man. . . . Case has given us a thought-provoking and thoroughly researched work of scholarship, insight, and practical counsel that should stimulate fruitful discussion amongst everyone who desires a peaceful and free society."" --David C. Innes, Professor of Politics, The King's College ""Case argues that Hume's views on experience, customs, and common life--based on the power of custom and not based on any one religion--deserve serious consideration by contemporary Evangelicals as providing a viable social and political framework for American social life today in which Christianity can flourish. This argument deserves serious consideration by Evangelicals searching for a new way after the end of Christendom to shape modern society such that religious freedom and practice may be maintained for all against the ever-expanding state."" --Guenther Haas, Professor emeritus, Redeemer University ""Provocative, challenging, and worthy of careful consideration. Case has penned a fascinating study of Hume's philosophy and its relevance for America's post-Christian society. Even those like myself who find Hume's ideas insufficient to ground a good society will find much to grapple with here."" --John G. West, Vice President, Discovery Institute"

Case argues convincingly that Hume's writings have a unity, coherence, and systematicness of which few scholars are aware. Case's account is novel, but the scholarly documentation that he provides for it is rich and persuasive. --Peter M. Burkholder, (deceased) Central Washington University Conservative Christians in this post-Christian age are in a crisis of cultural exile. Case directs us to eighteenth-century religious skeptic David Hume for terms of peace between the city of God and the city of man. . . . Case has given us a thought-provoking and thoroughly researched work of scholarship, insight, and practical counsel that should stimulate fruitful discussion amongst everyone who desires a peaceful and free society. --David C. Innes, Professor of Politics, The King's College Case argues that Hume's views on experience, customs, and common life--based on the power of custom and not based on any one religion--deserve serious consideration by contemporary Evangelicals as providing a viable social and political framework for American social life today in which Christianity can flourish. This argument deserves serious consideration by Evangelicals searching for a new way after the end of Christendom to shape modern society such that religious freedom and practice may be maintained for all against the ever-expanding state. --Guenther Haas, Professor emeritus, Redeemer University Provocative, challenging, and worthy of careful consideration. Case has penned a fascinating study of Hume's philosophy and its relevance for America's post-Christian society. Even those like myself who find Hume's ideas insufficient to ground a good society will find much to grapple with here. --John G. West, Vice President, Discovery Institute

Author Information

Robert Case has earned degrees from the University of Washington, Covenant Theological Seminary, Central Washington University, and Fuller Theological Seminary. His articles have appeared in Presbyterion, Journal of the Evangelical Society, and The Diary of Alpha Kappa Psi. Case has taught at Central Washington University and the World Journalism Institute. He is the author of Esther and Trump: A Political Commentary. He and his wife, Kathy, attend Faith Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington.

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