133 - Marx Against the Marxists: The Christian Humanism of Karl Marx

Marx Against the Marxists:
The Christian Humanism of Karl Marx
By Jose Miranda
Maryknoll. Orbis, 1980. 3 16 pp. $ 12.95.

The subtitle is the focus of this study, by the Chicano economist, philosopher, and exegete who seeks to refute the reduction of Marx's thought to materialist analysis. He does this by uncovering the spiritual quality of Marx's humanism, which he sees echoing the primary message of Jesus. In ten chapters of research from Marx's own writings, Miranda presents Marx's view of man as a subject objectified and enslaved by capitalism. He also persuasively demonstrates that Marx's revolutionary response to the god of money has its root and parallel in the teaching of Jesus. A valuable chapter on Marx's epistemology is included as an appendix.

The chief merit of this study is allowing Marx the humanist to speak directly from his own writings. Theologians, however. may challenge the author's Christian analysis, especially his one-sided eschatology. Yet the book remains required reading for all serious participants in the Marxist-Christian dialogue.

Marina Herrera
Biscayne College
Miami, Fl.