The Election of Israel: The Idea of the Chosen People

by David Novak

Overview

The view of themselves as the chosen people of God has been maintained by Jews from the beginnings of their history to the present. The author explores the development of this idea in Jewish theology and law, and essays a contemporary retrieval of the classical doctrine of election. Through an examination of the philosophical implications of the idea, he argues for the correlation of election and revelation, and shows both what the notion of election should mean for Jews today, and how non-Jews can better understand it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521416900
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/04/1995
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.75(w) x 8.78(h) x 0.94(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; List of abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Spinoza and his challenge; 2. Hermann Cohen's concept of election; 3. Franz Rosenzweig's return to the doctrine; 4. The retrieval of the biblical doctrine; 5. The rabbinic development of the doctrine; 6. Two medieval views of election; Conclusion; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"...an important and erudite book that contains an encyclopedia of interesting ideas." The Cresset

"The Election of Israel is a worthy successor to Novak's earlier Jewish-Christian Dialogue, giving further evidence that David Novak is one of the commanding religious thinkers at the end of the twentieth century who can be ignored by neither Jews nor Christians who would understand God's saving ways in history." First Things

"The book will appeal to a specialized audience. It will be of particular interest to those committed to interfaith matters and concerned about Israel's role in the world today." The Bible Today

"Novak's book is an important contribution toward a renewal of this central tenet of Jewish faith." Michael Wyschogrod, Modern Theology

"The book will appeal to a specialized audience. It will be of particular interest to those committed to interfaith matters and concerned about Israel's role in the world today." The Bible Today

"An indispensable study for those who are intereseted in a careful philosophical examination of this integral element of Jewish thought and life. The material is clear...and is highly recommended for graduate students, scholars, and libraries." Michael Oppenheim, Religious Studies Review

"The Election of Israel is a must read for Jews and Christians alike since it speaks to our most profound community-shaping and identity-forming theological claims. Novak has provided a compelling answer to what it means to be a Jew—an answer that cannot be ignored by Christians who worship the Jewish Jesus and are rooted in the tradition of Abraham." Pro Ecclesia

From the Publisher