Herut and Eleutheria: Specifics of the Biblical Interpretation of Freedom

Abstract

The concept of “freedom” is one of the most defining in the European cultural and philosophical matrix. It is based on a synthesis of Judeo-Christian ideas, categories of Ancient philosophy and Roman law. An analysis of philosophical and historical sources suggests that this synthesis took place in the Christian sermon of an inner freedom, which is associated primarily with the epistles of Paul the Apostle. It is the paradox of Christian freedom, which is based on the recognition of universal sinfulness as a source of non-freedom, and overcoming it on the basis of love, is the basis for further philosophical transformations of this concept. This internal antinomy allowed the concept of “freedom” to take a central place in the hierarchy of Western social and legal values.

Keywords

• freedom
• hofesh
• dror
• herut
• freedom-έλευθερία
• libertas
• sin
• love-αγάπη