Although COVID restrictions prevented the usual gathering at this year’s ETS Annual Church History Lecture, technology provided the opportunity to access an international speaker. Dr Carl Trueman, Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Grove City College, PA, and author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, explored the work and thought of Enlightenment philosopher, Jean Jacques Rousseau, “The Other Genevan”.
Rousseau, Trueman claimed, in his focus upon the inner self, had heavily influenced subsequent generations, and had, to a large extent, created the framework for the eventual move away from community identity to the kind of introspective reflection which undergirds much of today’s identity politics.
Dr Trueman concluded by reflecting on the issues raised, not least for the Church.We thank Dr Trueman for a thoroughly engaging afternoon and thank everyone who joined us.
— Iver Martin
