RISE & TRIUMPH OF THE MODERN SELF HB

Modern culture is obsessed with identity. Since the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision in 2015, sexual identity has dominated both public discourse and cultural trends--yet no historical phenomenon is its own cause. From Augustine to Marx, various views and perspectives have contributed to the modern understanding of the self.

In this timely book, Carl Trueman analyzes the development of the sexual revolution as a symptom--rather than the cause--of the human search for identity. Trueman surveys the past, brings clarity to the present, and gives guidance for the future as Christians navigate the culture in humanity's ever-changing quest for identity.

As reviewed by Dr. Stephen McQuoid in May 2021- 'Trueman sets out to explain how our human self-understanding has been developed over the centuries. In essence this is a book about intellectual history and the key figures who have shaped it. He argues that modern day formulations of human identity have been weaponised by psychological, sexual and therapeutic needs to the point that it is wrong to even ask questions about the issue of identity. He charts this development with detailed analysis interweaving both philosophy and history. The result is that modern man no longer sees himself as being made in God’s image, but rather his identity is highly elastic and shaped by his own desires and felt needs. This particularly relates to the area of sexuality where our identity is to be found in living a life that is unrestrained by any moral considerations.

In part 1 of the book Trueman engages with sociologist Philip Rieff, philosopher Charles Taylor and ethicist Alasdair MacIntyre to examine how morality has been shaped by our need for therapeutic fulfilment. Part 2 then looks at the contribution of Rousseau, Nietzsche, Marx and Darwin who all separated the idea of personhood from its theistic underpinnings so that we could be free to define ourselves without any reference to God.

Next in part 3 he shows how sexuality became central to our identity by examining the work of Sigmund Freud, Wilhelm Reich and Herbert Marcuse who laid the foundation for the sexual revolution. Finally, in part 4 Truman draws all of this history together and argues that humans are now continually pushing the sexual boundaries with almost no taboos left.

This is an excellent book, one of the very best in print, but one that also requires some background understand of history and philosophy. As a consequence, I suspect that not everyone will be prepared to wade through its 400 pages, which is a pity because it is a brilliant cultural analysis.'

Publisher : Crossway Books (24 Nov. 2020)
Language : English
Hardcover : 432 pages