Locke, Newton e la scienza della Scrittura

Since the time of Voltaire, Locke and Newton have been viewed as two similar and complementary models for the philosophical culture of Enlightenment. Some recent interpretations have also stressed their agreement in matters of theology and Biblical exegesis. In spite of their meetings and common interests, the distance between the position of the two authors is remarkable in their philosophical method ,as well as in their theological beliefs. Newton chooses for his "scientific" analysis the prophetical texts and Apocalypse, in order to discover the simplest laws which govern divine action in nature and history. Locke, on the contrary, focuses his attention on the New Testament, especially on Paul's Epistles, with the aim of explaining the project for human salvation, and proposing a model of reasonable Christianity, founded on the respect of moral law and on mutual toleration.