« La religion se trouvera vraie » : désenchantementet merveilles de la science chez Renan

Abstract

In 1863, the publication of Vie de Jésus makes Renan part of the movement of “desymbolisation” and secularization of sacred texts. Eliminating the notion of miracles from his writing on religion, Renananticipates the pattern of Weber and Gauchet’s “disenchantment of the world”. It is thus by the methods of scientific analysis (eviction of miracles and psychological explications instead) that Renan is able to piece together the Messiah’s life, putting forward the idea of an organic Parousia, and making sciencea new religious ideal.

Keywords

• bible
• disenchantment
• science
• philosophy of history
• miracle