Abstract
Marianne Moyaert shows the potentially violent nature of comparisons between Jewish and Christian scriptures by recollecting the story of the sibling rivalry between Jacob and Esau and exploring how it has been interpreted. She notes some classical Christian (and anti-Jewish) readings of this story, which to her mind are exemplary of what Nicholson has termed the “old comparative theology.” Consequently, she formulates some ground rules for comparative theology after the Shoah, such as may help minimize the problem of violence in the comparative use of another’s tradition. In the last section of her chapter, she makes the proposed ground rules come alive by returning to the Jacob and
Esau saga. A careful study of this story together with rabbinic interpretations—including contemporary readings such as that of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks—not only interrupts thought patterns of replacement and substitution but also initiates constructive theological reflections about the relation between Esau and Jacob, Church and Synagogue, and Christians and Jews.
Esau saga. A careful study of this story together with rabbinic interpretations—including contemporary readings such as that of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks—not only interrupts thought patterns of replacement and substitution but also initiates constructive theological reflections about the relation between Esau and Jacob, Church and Synagogue, and Christians and Jews.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | How to Do Comparative Theology |
Subtitle of host publication | European and American Perspectives in Dialogue |
Editors | Francis Clooney, Klaus von Stosch |
Publisher | Fordham University Press |
Chapter | 8 |
Pages | 165-188 |
Number of pages | 16 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780823278435, 9780823280513 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780823278411, 9780823278404 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Publication series
Name | Comparative Theology: Thinking across traditions |
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Publisher | Fordham University Press |
Volume | 2 |