Doing Jewish Theology: God, Torah and Israel in Modern Judaism »

With clarity and passion, award-winning teacher, author and theologian Neil Gillman captures the power of Jewish theological claims and reveals extraordinary insights into Jewish identity, the purpose of religion, and our relationship with God. Drawing from Judaism s sacred texts as well as great thinkers such as Mordecai Kaplan, Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Paul Tillich, Gillman traces his theological journey over four decades of study, beginning with his own understanding of revelation. He explores the role of symbol and myth in our understanding of the nature of God and covenant. He examines the importance of community in both determining authority and sanctifying sacred space. By charting the development of his own personal theology, Gillman explores the evolution of Jewish thought and its implications for modern Jewish religious identity today and in the future.

Introduction My Theological Journey Pt. 1 God
1 I Believe 5
2 On Knowing God 7
3 The Dynamics of Prophecy in the Writings of Abraham Joshua Heschel 16
4 Creation in the Bible and in the Liturgy 32
5 How Will It All End? Eschatology in Science and Religion 53
6 Beyond Wissenschaft: The Resurrection of Resurrection in Jewish Thought since 1950 68 Pt. 2 Torah
7 The Jewish Philosopher in Search of a Role 89
8 Authority and Parameters in Jewish Decision Making 105
9 On the Religious Education of American Rabbis 114
10 Teaching the Akedah 136 Pt. 3 Israel
11 Judaism and the Search for Spirituality 149
12 A Conservative Theology for the Twenty-first Century 170
13 A New Aggadah for the Conservative Movement 187
14 Rituals, Myths, and Communities 207
15 Coping with Chaos: Jewish Theological and Ritual Resources 224
16 In Praise of Birkat Kohanim 242 Notes 247 Glossary 269 Credits 274 Index 276