Jews and Christians: The Myth of a Common Tradition (1991 Neusner), book
Jews and Christians: The Myth of a Common Tradition (1991) is a book by Jacob Neusner.
Abstract
"The author proposes that "there is not now, and there never has been, a dialogue between the religions of Judaism and Christianity." The first part of the book represents historical discourse through which Professor Neusner underscores that, from the very beginnings, the Judaic and Christian religious worlds scarcely intersected (with the exception of the fourth century). In the second part, Neusner spells out theological reasons underlying the "myth" of a Judeo-Christian tradition. He calls for an understanding of religions as systems so that each party can describe fully, honestly, and accurately the religion it proposes to bring into dialogue with the other. Only when both parties grasp what is meant in context can dialogue actually occur. Throughout this absorbing book, Professor Neusner summons readers to make an effort to treat as legitimate and authentic religions other than their own, and to value a religion's account of itself. Then genuine dialogue may be possible, and such dialogue is essential for world peace. Jacob Neusner is Graduate Research Professor of Humanities and Religious Studies at the University of South Florida, Tampa."--Publisher description.
"Judaism and Christianity do not form a common tradition, the Judeo-Christian tradition. They are not compatible. That is because the Christian Bible and the Judaic Torah are not the same thing ... Each is possessed of its own integrity and autonomy ... Judaisms and Christianities never met anywhere ... (Even) recognizing the diversity of Judaic and Christian religious systems int he formative age, we may still speak of Judaism and Christianity as distinct religious traditions, incompatible form the beginning..."--2001 Preface (Jacob Neusner).
Editions
Published in London [England]: SCM; and Philadelphia, PA: Trinity Press International, 1991 / 2nd ed. 2006.
Translations
Contents
External links
- [Google Books]