Table of Contents

Part One: Introduction
1. The Problem of Blake’s Religion
2. The “rough basement”: Foundational Issues
3. Urizen and Los: Diagnostic Tropes for Theological Therapy
Part Two: Reason as Definitive of Religion
4. Blake and Natural Religion
5. Rationalist Road Signs: The Bible and Creation
6. Blake and the Established Church
7. Anglican Road Signs: Christology and Atonement
Part Three: Reason as Destructive of Religion
8. Blake and the Religious Radicals
9. Radical Road Signs: Sin and the Last Judgment
Part Four: Reason as Redemptive of Religion
10. Blake and the Religious Moderates
11. Methodist Road Signs: Justification and Sanctification
Part Five: Reading Blake Theologically
12. All Religions Are One
13. Whose Madness?

About the Author

Jennifer G. Jesse is professor of philosophy and religion at Truman State University. Her specialties include faith and reason in Christian thought, Blake studies, religion and literature, religion and science, interdisciplinary theory, and liberal religious thought in America. She has published numerous articles and essays in these areas. She holds a doctorate in religion and literature from the University of Chicago Divinity School, and is past editor of the American Journal of Theology and Philosophy.

Reviews

[T]his is an interesting and provocative book…. Jesse has opened up important and unexpected areas of inquiry that are likely to yield a greater understanding of Blake’s polyphonic work in a heterogeneous religious milieu.
*Blake/An Illustrated Quarterly*

Jennifer Jesse has written an accessible introduction to William Blake. It encompasses an admirable assembly of critical learning and acumen, assessing the achievement of several generations of Blake scholars. The book will be a reference point for all those seeking a profound consideration of issues related to Blake’s work and its contexts.
*Robert W. Rix, assistant professor, Department of Culture and Global Studies, University of Aalborg*