Jewish Theology of Religions

doi:10.1017/9781108233705.015

15 - Jewish Theology of Religions

from Part IV - Contemporary Issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 December 2020

Alon Goshen-Gottstein

Edited by

Steven Kepnes

Show author details

Steven Kepnes: Affiliation:
Colgate University, New York

Book contents

Get access

Summary

The essay seeks to identify in what way there is particularity to a Jewish theology of religions, as compared with the emergence of the field of theology of religions within a Christian context. Concern of Christian authors is with the problem of salvation and the common typology of exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism reflects this concern. This typology does not translate well into a Jewish context and we must identify the concerns that lie at the heart of a Jewish theology of religions. The primary concern is that of the legitimacy of the other religion. The issue is negotiated first and foremost through the lens of idolatry (Avoda Zara) as well as through other lenses, such as the question of religious truth. The concerns of a Jewish theology of religions are illustrated through three case studies: Maimonides, R. Menachem Meiri and Rav Kook.

Keywords

jewish theology of religions pluralism inclusivism exclusivism interreligious dialogue Meiri Rav Kook

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Companion to Jewish Theology , pp. 344 - 372

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108233705.015 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2020

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Selected Further Reading

Blidstein, Gerald. “Maimonides and Meiri on the Legitimacy of Non-Judaic Religions.” In Scholars and Scholaship: The Interaction between Judaism and Other Cultures, 27–35. Edited by Landman, Leo. New York: Yeshiva University Press, 1990.Google Scholar

Brill, Alan. Judaism and Other Religions: Models of Understanding. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.Google Scholar

Goshen-Gottstein, Alon. “Genius Theologian, Lonely Theologian: Yitz Greenberg on Christianity.” In A Torah Giant: The Intellectual Legacy of Rabbi Dr. Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, 71–92. Edited by Yanklowitz, Shmuly. Jerusalem: Urim, 2018.Google Scholar

Goshen-Gottstein, Alon. Luther the Antisemite: A Contemporary Jewish Perspective. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2018.CrossRef Google Scholar

Goshen-Gottstein, Alon. Religious Genius – Appreciating Outstanding Individuals Across Religions. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2017.Google Scholar

Goshen-Gottstein, Alon, ed. Religious Truth: Towards a Jewish Theology of Religions. Oxford: Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2020.CrossRef Google Scholar

Goshen-Gottstein, Alon. Same God, Other God: Judaism, Hinduism and the Problem of Idolatry. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.Google Scholar

Greenberg, Irving. For the Sake of Heaven and Earth: The New Encounter Between Judaism and Christianity. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 2004.Google Scholar

Halbertal, Moshe. “Ones Possessed of Religion: Religious Tolerance in the Teachings of the Me’iri.” The Edah Journal 1.1 (2000).Google Scholar

Hartman, David. Conflicting Visions: Spiritual Possibilities of Modern Israel. New York: Schocken, 1990.Google Scholar

Katz, Jacob. Exclusiveness and Tolerance. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1961.Google Scholar

Kogan, Michael. Opening the Covenant: A Jewish Theology of Christianity. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.CrossRef Google Scholar

Novak, David. Jewish-Christian Dialogue. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989.Google Scholar

Sacks, Jonathan. The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations. London: Continuum, 2002.Google Scholar

Sherbok, Dan Cohn. Judaism and Other Faiths. Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1994.Google Scholar