Paradise postponed. Johann Henrich Alsted and the birth of Calvinist millenarianism. By Howard Hotson. (International Archives of the History of Ideas, 172.) Pp. x+230 incl. 15 figs. Dordrecht–Boston–London: Kluwer Academic, 2000. £49. 0 7923 6787 1

[...]those (like myself) who are interested in the theological contribution of the arts are encouraged by the role given to them, especially to painting, within the argument from the outset to the nal chapter Art as revelation, but we too are brought up short when he reminds us that on the basis of Scripture the iconoclasts were right, and that if forced into accepting the absolute authority of Scripture, we may also be forced into what amounts to special pleading: [...]Browns arguments concerning the artistic and theological development of images of the Nativity, the Magi and the Crucixion bear interesting comparison with recent art-historical research and analysis, especially Neil MacGregors Seeing salvation. The article on Islam and Christianity stresses the dialogue between the two faiths and growing [nineoldstyle][nineoldstyle] [Rsmall][Esmall][Vsmall][Ismall][Esmall][Wsmall][Ssmall] tolerance and does not mention the ongoing persecution of Christians by fundamentalist Muslims. [...]the growth of fundamentalism among Muslims is not adequately covered considering the signicance of this movement in the modern world.