Customer Reviews

Common Prayers: Faith, Family, and a Christian's Journey Through the Jewish Year

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Rev. Harvey Cox has written a masterful guide for the interfaith family and for those contemplating creating one. Christian and Jew alike will learn from his wonderfully written view of Judaism from the Chrisitan perspective. For the lay person, this is a brief lesson in both Jewish and Chrisitan theology. For the scholar, Rev. Cox's work will provide the basis for discussion, agreement, and disagreement. By telling his personal story, he may profoundly influence a growing number of Jewish and Chrisitan partners dealing with the perplexing issues that neccesarily accompany such a union. He has answers. This is a very important work and Rev. Cox deserves praise for his sensitivity and skill in writing his story. Any person of faith will be moved by his writing.

Common Prayers : Faith, Family and a Christian's Journey through the Jewish Year by Harvey Cox is a celebration of history, tradition and personal experience ... framed by liturgical and theological commentary.
Cox manages to create a welcoming and warm environment in which the "foundation religion" for Christianity can be better understood and better appreciated .
I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about the spiritual roots of Christianity - and - most especialy, for every interfaith couple. The information and explanations of Jewish holydays are easy to read - and can provide abundant opportunity for dialog between interfaith partners.

Harvey Cox has written another excellent study on faith. Both the Christian and Jewish faiths have an abundance of symbols, rituals, and meanings that are explored and explained in this study of the Jewish Year. Easy to read and understand. Thought provoking for anyone wanting to examine their own experience with faith and holy days.

Harvey Cox helps other Christians understand that learning and living another faith does not diminish your own, but rather strengthen it. It is a very accessible read, and can be read all at once or in separate chapters as you go through the year. It made me want to experience all the different Jewish rituals. And because Mr. Cox has explained that this process only helped him understand his faith even more, I am not at all afraid to do so. I think, even, God would be pleased that two of God's children were deeply understanding each other and themselves. What a great holiday gift!

Harvard Divinity School professor Harvey Cox uses the festivals and other unique Jewish traditions to show from a Christian perspective the richness of Judaism. The engaging book is a combination of memoir and commentary, rich with anecdotes and insight.

My only complaint is the author's liberal perspective. It is seemingly easy to reconcile Christian and Jewish differences when one believes both are founded in myth. Cox offers a viewpoint that rejects the supernatural, spiritualizing the Old and New Testament writings, while citing them when he agrees, which is not a contradiction; we all can claim to agree with some things an author says while taking issue with others; however in this case he is disagreeing with what many Jews and Christians respectively regard as inspired, authoritative scripture.

Cox uses Jewish holidays as a springboard to comment on his perspective on various related matters: the "Holy Land"(a designation he dislikes), Christian Seders (they should be invited but shouldn't hold them), Holocaust remembrance (why it is needed, why we shouldn't just "get over it").

While I disagree with some of his presuppositions, I found overall the book an intriguing look at the ever-fascinating cultural observances of Judaism. Another New England professor, Marvin Wilson in his book Our Father Abraham, argues that the closer Christians come to Christ, the more attracted they should be to Christianity's Hebraic heritage, and I agree. I also agree with Cox that Christian Zionism often has ulterior motives (support Israel and jump-start the Rapture).

This is the kind of book that would be ideal for an interfaith book club. There is much in each chapter to stimulate animated discussion. There's plenty for everyone to agree and disagree on, and in the process all will take away a greater appreciation for the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

All of Harvey Cox's books are just GRAND!!! I am loving reading 2 of them now! Common Prayers: Faith, Family, and a Christian's Journey Through the Jewish Year and The Future of Faith! Great reads and especially wonderful when you have a group you can discuss.

Harvey Cox marries a Jewish woman and learns a lot about Judaism. He does seem to have absorbed a lot of Jewish traditions and learning. The book will certainly be informational for interested Christians. I have three criticisms, however: 1) I never really understood Cox's theology. If Judaism is so great, why doesn't he convert? (He states several times that he is not interested but never really gives you a "why I'm glad to be a Christian") 2) He largely only gives you the liberal side of Judaism. No Orthodox or Hasidic rabbis are interviewed or read (with the exception of David Hartman, who is certainly on the liberal end of the Orthodox spectrum) I find this somewhat dishonest as Cox paints a rosy picture of intermarriage 3) numerous typos and errors (I never understand when people say the book is reviewed by experts and it comes out filled with errors).

Another amazing work by Harvey Cox. Every Christian Pastor worthy of their position must have and share this book. Cox's insight, based on "inside" experience, will help every Christian leader become a better teacher and overall spiritual shepherd.