Reading Modernity, Modernism and Religion Today

This book examines the crisis of fragmentation in secularism through the works of Spinoza and van Gogh, highlighting the ongoing relevance of traditional values.

In Reading Modernity, Modernism and Religion Today, the author explores the significant crisis of fragmentation and incoherence that secularism has generated in contemporary society. Through a detailed examination of the works of Spinoza and van Gogh, the book highlights how traditional religious values can still hold relevance without undermining the advancements achieved through secularism. The author argues that the feelings of rootlessness and loneliness prevalent in modern secular societies echo Émile Durkheim's concept of anomie, which is contextualized within the historical emergence of Modernism from Modernity.

The narrative centers on two pivotal figures: Benedictus de Spinoza and Vincent van Gogh, whose contributions provide fresh insights into the cultural transformations initiated by the Scientific Revolution and the Protestant Reformation. Spinoza's philosophy, which sought to replace the creator God of the Bible with a single Substance, reveals his deep concerns about the potential loss of confidence in this governing idea. Meanwhile, van Gogh's artistic endeavors illustrate his struggle with the limitations of his vocation, as he sought to fill the void left by the absence of Spinoza's philosophical God and the shortcomings of traditional Christianity.

Ultimately, Reading Modernity, Modernism and Religion Today suggests that in the ongoing tension between art and anomie, new forms of religious sensibility and understanding may emerge. This exploration is particularly relevant in today's postmodern cultural context, where fragmentation and incoherence challenge existing values and inspire fresh assessments that promote solidarity, dialogue, and deeper religious understanding.