Michel Foucault

Great Thinkers

by Christopher Watkin

Michel Foucault (1926—1984)

Hugely influential, Michel Foucault's work has not only impacted a diverse range of disciplines—from history and sociology to fine arts, feminism, and gay and lesbian studies—but has also profoundly shaped Western culture at a street level.

Yet until now there has been no overarching systematic approach to his work from a Reformed perspective—let alone one that is as fair and accessible as Watkin's. After walking us through key elements of Foucault's thought, Watkin both critiques and answers Foucault through the Bible's teaching on history, power, and identity. His insights are necessary reading for anyone who wants to engage thoughtfully with the ideas of our culture.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Christianity, History

216 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2018

Reviews

[John Pawlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great engagement with Foucault, Watkin gives a helpful overview of his philosophy and the important texts and political commitments that arise out of them. The subversive fulfillment method works here especially well. The criticisms Foucault has towards Christianity and the church are shared by the Scriptures themselves, Watkin shows, and yet at the same time the Bible has better tools for leaving the constraints of normalization than limit-experiences and self-transformation have. We need a judge and a power outside of ourselves to break out of the box many post-modern thinkers are so concerned with.

Great engagement with one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century! I found this book incredibly helpful for thinking about current apologetics!

[Reid Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book club choice, Keller recommendation. Part 1 leaves one wanting more exposition of Foucault, and Part 2 leaves one wondering if the biblical texts at hand correspond as much as the author claims to Foucault’s proposals. Confirmed in our minds the Lewisian principle to not read platonists but Plato himself. Would recommend the first half as a good primer on this Frenchman.

[Kristopher Schaal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author was more generous to Foucault than I expected. The book is a tremendous service to those who don't have time to wade through the original sources. It helped me to avoid some straw men in regard to Foucault's thinking. I also really enjoyed Watkin's presentation of crucifom reality more than I thought I would.

Overall, not as riveting as I had expected, but good.

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secondary literature sometimes just doesn't land with me.

The parts on Foucault's philosophy of history were interesting (only because some people find them interesting).

I found the ideas absurd.

Watkin's analysis seemed too neat. I would need to read Foucault to know how good it was.

B. Grizenko

[Oliver Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly I’ve never really dug into Foucault’s thought but this makes me want to read more. Watkin gives a succinct and winsome “subversive fulfillment” approach to his thought that is worth coming back to given how influential Foucault is.

[Glenn Wishnew III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keller’s correct to suggest that this work is an archetype for Christians looking to engage in academia at a high level.

A wonderful book.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful and fair.

[Hayden Nesbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sections on Foucault’s thought are fairly dense, but worth wading through for the author’s application in the last chapter on various frameworks for identity.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressively written

[Erik Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m letting it simmer. It might be 5 stars. One of the best in the series so far.

Clear and helpful summary and analysis of Foucault’s thought - and some of the best engagement and critique. Rather than just resorting to “... but Van Til” (which some of the other volumes do), he engages with some powerful biblical texts that resemble but also surpass Foucault’s aims. Along the way he shows not just the insufficiency of postmodern thought/critiques, but also the better and deeper truth of the gospel.

Excellent.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great analysis of Foucault in his historical and intellectual context. Refreshing to have a Reformed analysis that doesn't rely on common stereotypes or caricatures of Foucault that is common in polemics. Even though we don't agree him, we can still show him the respect of engaging his work in an empathetic way.

[Gordon Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given that I have not read Foucault at all, this still seems convincing as a good faith attempt to present the broad strokes of his thinking. He seems to be trying to show the power and sophistication of his philosophy. Watkin's biblical response is nuanced, respectful, and very insightful. It's a good sign that it makes me want to read Foucault for myself