Research Topic Lecture: The Philippson Bible and Freud’s Search for Meaning

In this lecture, presented at the Blanton-Peale Psychoanalytic Institute, I explore the history and significance of the Philippson Bible, a 19th century edition created by Ludwig Philippson that combined Hebrew text, German translation, commentary, and more than a thousand illustrations. This monumental work was a bridge between Jewish tradition and European modernity, and it became the Bible owned by Freud’s family.

The lecture traces how this text shaped Freud’s earliest encounter with Scripture and influenced his complex relationship with religion, often leaving him wrestling with questions of faith, reason, and nihilism. From there, I consider how depth psychology invites us to move beyond the collapse of meaning and reengage with spirituality in ways that are both psychologically grounded and spiritually alive.

This lecture is part of my ongoing effort to integrate psychology, theology, and cultural history. Recordings of my lectures and teachings will be available here for reflection, study, and conversation.

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