Review of On the Meaning of Human Being, Heidegger and the Bible in Dialogue by Richard Oxenberg

Not since Saint Thomas Aquinas channeled Aristotle by way of Boethius in Summa Theologica have philosophy and theology met in such an unexpected and enlightened way. Richard Oxenberg in his new book, On the Meaning of Human Being, Heidegger and the Bible in Dialogue, uses a framework employed by the estimable (and somewhat infamous) Martin Heidegger to get at the ethical basis of humanity and the relevance of religion in the twenty-first century.

The first half of the Oxenberg book sets up his secular and foundational approach as well as developing a tool box of helpful terms and delving philosophic concepts. His choice of Heidegger seems at first rather odd (more on that later) and then… and then… not so much. Being and Time, Heidegger’s breakthrough work of phenomenological investigations, is clearly up to the task. Oxenberg manipulates Heidegger’s perceptions masterfully, architecturally structuring his own original arguments from them with deftness and certainty. For more of my review go here:  http://dougholder.blogspot.com/2019/01/on-meaning-of-human-being-by-richard.html