Judaism in the Theology of Sir Isaac Newton

by M. Goldish

Overview

This book is based on my doctoral dissertation from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1996) of the same title. As a master's student, working on an entirely different project, I was well aware that many of Newton's theological manuscripts were located in our own Jewish National and University Library, but I was under the mistaken assumption that scores of highly qualified scholars must be assiduously scouring them and publishing their results. It never occurred to me to look at them at all until, having fmished my master's, I spoke to Professor David Katz at Tel-Aviv University about an idea I had for doctoral research. Professor Katz informed me that the project I had suggested was one which he himself had just fmished, but that I might be interested in working on the famous Newton manuscripts in the context of a project being organized by him, Richard Popkin, James Force, and the late Betty Jo Teeter Dobbs, to study and publish Newton's theological material. I asked him whether he was not sending me into the shark-infested waters of highly competitive scholarship, and learned that in fact there were only a handful of scholars in the world who actively studied and published on Newton's theology. At the time the group consisted mainly of Popkin, Force, Dobbs, Frank Manuel, Kenneth Knoespel, and David Castillejo.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780792349969
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	03/31/1998
Series:	International Archives of the History of Ideas Archives internationales d'histoire des idées , #157
Edition description:	1998
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.02(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction.- 2. The Background of Newton’s Jewish Studies.- 3. Judaism in Newton’s History of Early Religion.- 4. Judaism in Newton’s Study of Scriptural Prophecy.- 5. The Temple of Jerusalem in Newton’s Thought.- 6. Judaism in Newton’s Church History.- 7. Kabbalah and the Corruption of the Primitive Church.- Conclusion.- Appendices.

Editorial Reviews

‘It is a considerable achievement that at this relatively young age Goldish should be included among contemporary scholars whose work is reshaping the historical understanding of early modern history by emphasizing the decisive role that religion and theology played in the genesis of modern science. His book is important not only for historians of science but for anyone interested in early modern history and the ways in which the religious and scientific thought of the late 17th century contributed to the Enlightenment. The substantial appendices taken from Newton's theological manuscripts are an added feature of this excellent book.'
The Jewish Quarterly Review, XCI:3-4 (2001)

From the Publisher

Takes advantage of the recent flood of scholarship about Newton's non-scientific studies to delve more deeply into a specific area of his thought. Explores how he learned about the history and literature of the Jews, and how he integrated his findings into his unique historical theology. Finds that, though he probably never met a Jew, he invested heavily in Jewish studies, which left their mark on his investigations of early religion, scriptural prophecy, Trinitarianism, the early church, and the corruption of primitive Christianity. Also looks at his relationship with the Church of England, his understanding of biblical authority, and his Euhemerism. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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