Leviathan (Books III and IV)

In Books 3 and 4 of Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes delves deeper into his revolutionary political philosophy, focusing on the concept of a Christian commonwealth. Book 3 opens with a rich exploration of biblical scholarship aimed at affirming the authority of Scripture while challenging modern claims of supernatural revelation that threaten civil law. Hobbes argues that the certainty of divine revelation is elusive, positioning religious authority as subordinate to civil power. Meanwhile, Book 4, titled “Of the Kingdom of Darkness,” critiques the churchs misinterpretation of Scripture, highlighting the problematic blending of pagan elements with Christianity. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia by Leon Mire)