Reading the Bible with Spinoza by George Gross

This essay explores several themes of biblical exegesis in Benedict de Spinoza's Theologico-Political Treatise. The essay aims to show that Spinoza's critique of the Bible's teachings on spirit, prophecy and miracles has its point of departure in the Bible's own internal critique of these teachings. In passing, the essay sheds light on the Bible's teachings regarding the exodus and the miracle at Joshua 10. It is proposed that Galileo's teachings played a vital role in Spinoza's framing of his ideas. The essay attempts to follow Spinoza as he readies the Bible for its admission into the modern city, while not discounting Spinoza's exegetical motivation in writing his Treatise.

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