Jewish-Christian dialogue and the life of wisdom
Subtitle: engagements with the theology of David Novak
By: Matthew Levering
Publisher: Continuum
Published: 2010
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 204
ISBN-13: 9781441133649
Description: "This book inquires as to whether theological dialogue between Christians and Jews is possible, not only in itself but also as regards the emergence of communities of Messianic Judaism. In light of David Novak's insights, Matthew Levering proposes that Christian theological responses to supersessionism need to preserve both the Church's development of doctrine and Rabbinic Judaism's ability to define its own boundaries. The book undertakes constructive philosophical theology in dialogue with Novak. Exploring the interrelated doctrines of divine providence/theonomy, the image of God, and natural law, Levering places Novak's work in conversation especially with Thomas Aquinas, whose approach fosters a rich dialogue with Novak's broadly Maimonidean perspective. It focuses upon the relationship of human beings to the Creator, with attention to the philosophical entailments of Jewish and Christian covenantal commitments, aiming to spell out what true freedom involves. It concludes by asking whether Christians and Jews would do better to bracket our covenantal commitments in pursuing such wisdom. Drawing upon Novak's work, the author argues that in the face of suffering and death, God's covenantal election makes possible hope, lacking which the quest for wisdom runs aground."--Bloomsbury Publishing.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Supersessionism and Messianic Judaism; title: Providence and theonomy; title: The image of God; title: Natural law and Noahide Law; title: Election and the life of wisdom; title: Conclusion.