Two Faiths, One Covenant?

Reviews / Votes

Unknown to the vast majority of Jews and Christians, unprecedented and profound collaborative study has been occurring among Christian and Jewish academicians for several years. This collection, a wonderful illustration of that interfaith research, offers important new insights into the meaning of "covenant" -a pivotal concept for Jewish and Christian self-understanding and for understanding between the two communities as well. -- Philip A. Cunningham, Executive Director, Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College Jewish-Christian dialogue has entered a new age, and Two Faiths, One Covenant? is one of the very best guides to what is new in this age. The age of simply "getting along" has passed. It is time, now, to open our hearts and proclaim and discuss our ultimate beliefs: Who is the God to whom we pray? And what covenant binds us to this God and to our co-religionists? Pawlikowski and Korn have gathered an exceptional group of Jewish and Christian scholars to examine what covenant has meant in the Jewish and Christian traditions, and what covenant is coming to mean now in this new age. Readers will discover that, after the chaos of the 20th century, God speaks again strongly to these tradition's leading theologians, but that God also speaks now in ways that were rarely heard throughout the modern period. Be prepared for surprises! -- Peter Ochs, University of Virginia Ever since Pope John Paul II reminded Christians that God's covenant with the Jewish people has never been revoked, many scholars have pondered both the meaning and consequences of this affirmation. In this volume, both Jewish and Christian thinkers take us deeper and provocatively into this mystery, not with the solution to the puzzle but with the faith-filled attraction as to how we - Jews and Christians - might understand ourselves better and more lovingly because we have had the Holy One revealed to us through the wisdom of the other. -- Rev. Michael McGarry, C.S.P., Rector, Tantur Ecumenical Institute, Jerusalem One of the most divisive themes in Jewish/Christian relations through the centuries-covenant-becomes, in these penetrating essays by Jewish and Christian colleagues, ground and promise for deepening and furthering dialogue and mutual understanding. And, not only that: the theme, we are shown, not only allows for religious diversity; it requires it. A remarkable achievement. -- Walter J. Harrelson, Distinguished Professor of Hebrew Bible emeritus, Vanderbilt Divinity School In contemporary dialogue, Jewish and Christian theologies of "covenant" has become a most important topic. By exploring the historical concepts, their transformations, and modern challenges to them, the essays in this volume push the conversation forward in critical and thought- provoking ways. Any discussion of covenant in the context of dialogue will need to engage deeply with this book. -- Ruth Langer, Boston College