The Good and the Good Book

It isn't easy to say something powerful and accessible in Jewish theology, but Samuel Fleischacker has in this brief, elegant volume done just that. With lucidity, rich learning worn lightly, deep moral and religious commitment, and rich humanity, he illuminates the meaning of revealed religion for traditional communities and their thoughtful critics alike. A very good book about the good book, and the other good books too. * Yehudah Mirsky, Brandeis University *
The Good and the Good Book shows just how illuminating the methods of academic philosophy can be when they are skillfully employed on topics philosophy is more popularly supposed to engage in--moral integrity, the purpose of human life, the practical relevance of sacred texts. Fleischacker manages, unusually, to combine a clear-sighted appreciation for the limits as well as the power of reason, with a real feel for why religion matters to people. * Gordon Graham, Princeton Theological Seminary *
The Good and the Good Book: Revelation as a Guide to Life is a constructive, reflective, and highly personal meditation on belief, religion, and the good life by a scholar and believer deeply engaged in modern philosophical and theological thought . . . a work of very accessible philosophical theology that should be of interest to scholars of religion, constructive theologians, and anyone struggling with living inside a religious tradition in these troubling times. * Shaul Magid, Indiana University *
Sam Fleischacker has accomplished something rare and significant: a highly-readable, philosophically-compelling and utterly enjoyable defense of revealed religion. I hope this book is read (and argued over) among the devout, the secular, the seeking and the skeptic. * Eboo Patel, Founder and President, Interfaith Youth Core *
Sam Fleischacker has given us a conceptual tour de force that illuminates the path for those seeking to have an ethical faith that is grounded in revelation. Lesser thinkers choose only one side of the tension or create false harmonies. In contrast, Fleischacker carefully untangles the knotty issues then he boldly and cogently shows a path of combining Divine teachings based on revelation with liberal virtues and modern science. The book deserves a broad reception and engagement with its timely ideas. * Alan Brill, Seton Hall University *
The original contribution of this book to philosophy of religion, and to the justification of religious commitment, stands out unmistakably. * Jerome Gellman, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *