Behemoth teaches Leviathan Book

I figured that at some point or another it would be a responsible thing to read through some of the foundational documents and ideas that founded America - which is why I picked this up and dove into it. It's fascinating to read from this vantage point in history, where our nation and its constitution have been around for so long. Many of the ideas in the book seem self-evident, or commonsensical, and so it was a fascinating exercise to try and put ones mind into the arena of the day it was written, and to understand how radical the ideas in this slim volume really were. Additionally the letter concerning toleration was just a fascinating look into the way that the church ought to be and behave--and yet doesn't. The ideas that Locke gives here are so straightforward and ought to be the way that the Gospel and the church function, and yet it is clear in our world today that there are so many who have forsaken the true mission and motives of the gospel for their own ends. This is tremendously sad, and Locke really hits home hard for those who seek to practice their religion faithfully in that concluding chapter.

Overall an interesting and useful historical read that also provided a fresh sense of perspective on some modern religious and political issues.