Prior to its publication, ITI’s research was presented in conferences at Yale University and the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute in Jerusalem. “ITI strives to develop foundations for Jewish-Christian understanding and articulate spiritual and moral values essential to contemporary religious, cultural and political life,” remarked Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin, CJCUC’s Founder and author of one of publication’s essays.
Covenant and Hope is devoted to two related topics: “Covenant, Mission and Relating to the Other,” and “Hope and Responsibility for the Human Future.” In the book, the Jewish and Christian scholars analyze their concept of covenant, how it determines their religious commitments, theology, and behavior, and how it shapes relations with people outside their own faith. The Christian scholars examine the implications of their covenantal theology for relations with Jews and Judaism, while the Jewish contributors probe the covenantal implications for Jewish relations with Christians and Christianity.
The promise of the messianic era commits Jews and Christians to believe in human redemption and moral progress, while the vision of future messianic redemption obligates Jews and Christians to take responsibility for humanity’s future. Yet the genocide, nuclear war, poverty and violence in recent history all discourage belief in progress. ITI scholars present the grounds of their hope and how belief in the future can be nourished, outlining the philosophic and practical responsibility to ensure that human life and culture flourishes.
The volume’s contributors include Robert Jenson, Eugene Korn, Gerald McDermott, Alan Mittleman, David Novak, Russell Reno, Shlomo Riskin, Naftali Rothenberg, Richard Sklba, Miroslav Volf, Darlene Fozard Weaver, Deborah Weissman, Douglas Knight and Michael Wyschogrod.
Covenant and Hope is a must-read for teachers, students, clergy, theologians, and anyone interested in Judaism, Christianity and the human future. The publication is available through Eerdmans and Amazon.
(Source: Christian Newswire)