Recovering Judaism

Book Summary

In his latest work, Neusner pleas for vindication of "the universal character and appeal of Judaic monotheism in the mainstream of humanity". Of the three great monotheistic religions, only Judaism has survived without political power, military might, or great numbers of adherents, and has done so because its method and message aim to persuade the world of God's dominion and the marks of God's rule. Judaism today is too often thought to represent a religious backwater, a highly particularistic religion with its own esoteric tales and traditions, practices and norms. First Christians, then Jews themselves, have succumbed to this characterization, resulting in the dismissal of Judaism's universal religious significance. Bereft of its religious import, Judaism is increasingly thought of as merely an ethnic designation -- and a quickly dissipating one at that. Neusner pleas for vindication of "the universal character and appeal of Judaic monotheism in the mainstream of humanity". Of the three great monotheistic religions, only Judaism has survived without political power, military might, or great numbers of adherents and has done so because its method and message aim to persuade the world of God's dominion and the marks of God's rule.

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